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Clarkson, Hammond, and May’s Grand Tour Tenure Is Coming to an End

The Grand Tour’s end comes just weeks after the BBC indefinitely shut down Top Gear.

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The old Top Gear trio of Jeremy Clarkson , Richard Hammond, and James May will be hitting your screen as the hosts of The Grand Tour for the final time in 2024. The two final episodes have now been filmed, taking place in Mauritania and Zimbabwe, where the trio we've grown to love will close a chapter that's been three decades in the making.

“We’re done. I have reviewed cars on TV since 1989. That’s 34 years. And after next year, I won’t be doing that any more," Clarkson told The Times .

Since The Grand Tour launched in 2016, after Clarkson was fired from Top Gear for punching a producer, it's gone through several changes. First, it was essentially a Top Gear recreation, with celebrity interviews and an in-studio live show. Then they tightened it up by ditching the celebrity stuff. Eventually, they ditched the live show altogether and just made feature-length specials. And while none of The Grand Tour's iterations managed to capture the magic of Top Gear at its best , it was still one of the most watched shows on Amazon Prime . Millions of people tuned in to watch the automotive equivalent of the Three Stooges (and I mean that as a grand compliment).

All three hosts have their own projects to pursue outside of The Grand Tour anyway. Clarkson has his farm show and May has a travel show, both of which are also on Amazon Prime , while Hammond still does a lot of work for DriveTribe , while also presenting other TV programs. So they'll still be around, even though The Grand Tour won't be.

This news also comes just a couple of weeks after the BBC decided to indefinitely shut down Top Gear . After host Freddie Flintoff's accident during filming and the subsequent settlement, the BBC decided against renewing the show. Clarkson doesn't blame the most recent trio of Top Gear hosts for not wanting to return, either, specifically Flintoff.

"Richard Hammond was always keen to get back to work [following a crash], whereas Freddie isn’t," Clarkson told The Sun . "I don’t blame him. I know what happened on that awful day and it was horrific."

Clarkson even said that anyone who wants to take over in Flintoff's spot would come across as "heartless."

In a matter of weeks, the world learned that the two most entertaining car shows on TV are shutting down. We all knew this day was coming soon, as the original Top Gear gang are all either in their sixties or getting quite close, but it's still a little sad to see them go. Sure, their most recent work pales in comparison to the shows from their prime but, like most millennial car nerds, Clarkson, Hammond, and May made an indelible impression on me and the way I look at cars, and I'm sure I'm not alone on that one. Thanks for the memories, chaps.

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The Grand Tour Specials: Everything Confirmed About The Sand Job

The trio from The Grand Tour are about to unleash their penultimate adventure involving a trip across the Sahara in three cheap sports cars.

via The Grand Tour YouTube Channel

Key Takeaways

• Clarkson, Hammond, and May will embark on their next adventure in the Sahara Desert, retracing the route of the Paris-Dakar Rally in heavily modified budget Dakar racers.
• The trio will face challenges such as rocky terrain and a river crossing, and will create custom rafts for their sports cars.
• This may be one of the last Grand Tour specials as Clarkson confirmed that the show is ending, but there are potential plans for a new incarnation of the show in the future.

If the rumors are true, Jeremy Clarkson , Richard Hammond , and James May are preparing for their final adventures on The Grand Tour. The last special, Euro Crash, saw the trio travel across the former Eastern Block of Europe in three of the most unusual cars possible. Now, their next adventure is about to land on Amazon Prime. This time they swap the roads of Europe for the sands of the Sahara Desert, and retrace the route of the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally.

Amazon recently released the full trailer of the special on The Grand Tour YouTube Channel . The trailer looks to show the usual antics the three are famous for. We also get a glimpse of the three cars they will use; cheap sports cars from Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Maserati that are heavily modified into budget Dakar racers. The special has the name Sand Job, and it will land on Prime Video on February 16th. The Grand Tour says this is their “hottest challenge yet.”

Richard Hammond Has Bought His Chevrolet SSR From The Grand Tour Eurocrash

Cheap sports cars are the vehicles of choice, key moments from the grand tour: sand job trailer.

• Clarkson, Hammond, and May will cross the Sahara desert in three cheap sports cars
• The trio are retracing the route of the Paris-Dakar rally
• A minefield and rough terrain provide some challenges
• The three will also create custom rafts for their sports cars

We don’t get confirmation of the exact vehicles from the trailer, but we do know that cheap sports cars are what the trio has gone for. The trailer also reveals that they are a Jaguar, a Maserati, and an Aston Martin and that the presenters have extensively modified the cars. This is very much in keeping with the tradition of their road trips, with their Top Gear days renowned for some modified action. The desert crossing is not an unknown challenge for the three either, as they have done so in dune buggies and small sports cars back on Top Gear.

The latter was for a Top Gear Christmas special, with the presenters using a Fiat Barchetta, Mazda MX-5, and BMW Z3 to cross the desert of Syria. That was only for a section of their journey, however, with this desert crossing in the Sahara nearly the entirety of their trip. The trailer reveals a few town scenes though, with Hammond having a difficult time stopping people crashing into his Aston Martin. As is typical with their adventures, we get to see some dramatic scenery and backdrops such as the rising dunes and sandy beaches.

The trailer shows some of the challenges the three are set to face, which aside from the dunes include rocky and rugged terrain will push the cars to their limits. A river crossing is also part of the show, and it looks like the trio will build their rafts to try and navigate this obstacle. Again, this is something the three have done before when they built a custom raft in the Top Gear Africa special . That raft was successful so hopefully, no car ends up at the bottom of the river in this one.

A Closer Look At James May’s Mitsubishi Evo Crash On The Grand Tour A Scandi Flick

A surprise is teased in the new grand tour special, top gear & the grand tour specials with the trio.

( Sourced from IMDB )

Speaking to RadioTimes.com ahead of the special’s launch, Hammond suggests there is a surprise in store during the adventure. The trailer shows the three attempts to not drive into a minefield, and Mauritania is on a British government red list for travel. While a minefield in itself is a surprise, Hammond says there was something else that made it an even scarier experience. He said, "There was there was a surprise arrival in [the] minefield, because it's [Mauritania] still on the red list in terms of travel, and the last thing you want in or near a minefield is a surprise.”

The familiar pranking that the three have engaged in over the years also makes a return. In the same interview, Hammond says there was a lot of pranking going on and went on to say the special focuses a lot on the friendship between the trio.

He said the special was “almost The Grand Tour unplugged, so we stripped it right back and we majored on the relationship between the three of us, and the arguing and the breaking and we just laughed." Hammond also said that the special was about capturing “the majesty and splendor of traveling the world”. But at the same time, they are still doing the stupid things they are all famous for.

Why The Grand Tour: A Scandi Flick Is The Trio’s Best Special Since Mongolia

This is one of the last grand tour specials.

It does look like this is the beginning of the end for the trio and The Grand Tour. After the Euro Crash special , two more were in production during 2023. These were this one in Mauritania and an upcoming adventure in Zimbabwe. But in January 2024, Clarkson confirmed to The Times that The Grand Tour is ending, saying that he is “old and fat and unfit.” May spoke on the Fueling Around podcast early in 2023 that the end was on the horizon, but suggested that there is another special coming after these two to wrap things up.

These Are The Sickest Custom Rides From The Grand Tour

The grand tour may still have a future.

This might not be the end of the three on our screens together, however. The BBC recently reported that options are being explored for a new incarnation of the show. This could even include replacing the trio. But perhaps it could see them go on less taxing adventures and potentially stay within the UK. Fans will be happy to learn though that the three will stay on our screens.

Clarkson will continue with more series of Clarkson’s Farm with his huge Lamborghini tractor , while May will continue to do his travel and cooking shows. Hammond also has his Discovery+ workshop show, and he appears regularly on the Drivetribe YouTube channel. For now, though, we can enjoy them all together in some more big adventures. The Grand Tour: Sand Job will launch on Amazon Prime video on February 16th, and we can't wait to see what it's like.

Sources: The Grand Tour YouTube Channel, BBC News, RadioTimes, IMDB

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The Grand Tour to be rebooted without Clarkson, Hammond and May

The car series is set to continue on amazon prime in a new format following the departure of the former top gear trio..

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The Grand Tour will continue without Clarkson, May and Hammond after a new reboot of the show was confirmed.

Former Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson , James May and Richard Hammond have left the Prime Video car series after five series in the driving seat as their contracts have come to an end. But TV industry magazine Broadcast magazine has now confirmed a reboot is in the works after Studio Lambert has been awarded a contract to “develop a fresh version” of the show.

Studio Lambert are the production company behind hit reality shows The Traitors, Gogglebox and Squid Game: The Challenge. They are said to have to have won the contract after beating rival pitches from Shine TV – who make MasterChef and The Hunted – and recently founded Orchard Studios.

There are very few details known about the new format of The Grand Tour. But the news comes after Hammond, May and Clarkson confirmed that the latest special Sand Job would be their last run. The final special of the show was filmed in Zimbabwe last year and is due to air on Prime Video later in 2024.

Hammond told Yahoo UK : "The key thing on that whole issue, [is] we had decided years ago that we wanted to be in control. Having set off on this incredible adventure that none of us thought would ever come our way, we all wanted to be the ones — and I don't just mean us three, all of us— to decide when and where and how we landed it, and we have done."

May told the Radio Times in June last year: "I mean, some people have said we've been cancelled. But really we're getting quite close to the end of our contract, but we didn't really have any particular plans to keep going because we're all really just getting a bit old. It might be time to let someone else have a crack at it."

Clarkson, May and Hammond rose to fame on BBC show Top Gear before they left in 2015 and signed a deal with Amazon Prime to host a new car show The Grand Tour instead. Clarkson had been suspended by the BBC that year after he punched Top Gear   producer Oisin Tymon in an argument over food while filming on location.

Top Gear continued with new hosts, but this year the BBC confirmed it had decided to "rest" the show after recent hit Freddie Flintoff quit following his injury while filming in December 2022. The retired cricket player was involved in a high-speed crash in a three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 which does not contain airbags. The TV star was reportedly left with broken ribs and facial injuries after being airlifted to hospital.

Flintoff had hosted the show from 2019, along with Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris. After Clarkson, May and Hammond jumped ship in 2015, it was hosted by TV and radio presenter Chris Evans and Friends star Matt Le Blanc among others.

The Grand Tour: Sand Job is out now on Prime Video. The show’s final special will air on the platform later this year.

Read more: The Grand Tour

The Grand Tour Could Get New Hosts Because Good Things Aren't Allowed to Die   (The Drive, 3-min read)

Everything you need to know about The Grand Tour: Sand Job

The Grand Tour: Clarkson, May and Hammond set to 'quit' after 20 years together (Oxford Mail, 2-min read)

Watch: Richard Hammond: 'I couldn't earn a living' before Top Gear

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The grand tour’s penultimate special is out now.

After an eight-month wait since the release of the last episode, Eurocrash, the penultimate special of The Grand Tour has finally premiered on Amazon Prime.

Subtitled Sand Job (nice), the feature-length special sees Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May cross the Sahara desert, retracing the original route of the Dakar Rally . Their journey starts in in the heart of the West African nation of Mauritania, and roughly retraces the famous race’s route to its iconic beachfront finish. 

That’s an infamously tough journey even in specialised desert racing machinery, but it wouldn’t be The Grand Tour without some extra peril, so the team is undertaking the journey in some of the most inappropriate vehicles possible: big, front-engined, open-top sports cars, more suited to cruising the south of France than tackling the biggest sand desert in the world.

Jeremy has chosen a V6 Jaguar F-Type, Richard an Aston Martin DB9 Volante, and James a Maserati GranCabrio, all of which have undergone some serious modification in order to take on the challenging terrain. Clearly, we’re a long way from the days of the three-figure budgets seen in early Top Gear cheap car challenges.

As we saw in the trailer, the journey isn’t an easy one, with the trio having to deal with sand storms, massive dunes, ravines and actual minefields, as well as a pretty perilous-looking river crossing. There’s also an appearance from the world’s longest train, a 1.2-mile-long beast that transports iron ore and also delivers the cars to the starting point. All the while, the team must protect their vital fuel bowser, required to keep the cars going in this remote part of the world.

It’s more of what we’ve come to know and love from The Grand Tour’s big-budget specials: there’s incredible cinematography showing off the Sahara’s stark beauty mixed in with driving sequences that push the trio’s sports cars far beyond anything they were designed for. Oh, and some explosions, of course.

It was the filming of this special that Clarkson said made him realise how “ unfit and fat and old ” he was, leading in part to his decision to step back from the show.

We know there’s still one more special to come after this, filmed in Zimbabwe, which Amazon says is coming “later this year.” Interestingly, Amazon refers to that as the “final special of The Grand Tour with the trio,” reinforcing the suggestion that the show could continue in one form or another after the departure of Clarkson, Hammond and May.

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Grand Tour Release Date: When’s The Next Episode Coming Out?

The Grand Tour is one of the most popular car shows on television, featuring three of the world’s most famous car enthusiasts, Jeremy Clarkson , Richard Hammond, and James May . The show has been on hiatus for some time, but last year they filmed the next episode in Eastern Europe. In this article, we will discuss the release date, story, and cars featured in the Grand Tour Season 5 Special, which is set in Eastern Europe.

Table of Contents

Is The Grand Tour cancelled?

While it’s been confirmed by the presenters that the show isn’t cancelled, The Grand Tour may be taking an extended break until 2024 . This update comes from a source closely connected to the show which recently shared this news.

Since the show’s transition from a tent and live audience format to more elaborate and highly produced road trip episodes, The Grand Tour has been releasing special episodes sporadically over the past few years. However, recent reports suggest that fans of the show may have to wait even longer than expected for new episodes to be released.

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May were in the process of filming a new episode in Europe during mid-2022. However, with episodes being reportedly pushed back until 2024, fans of the show will have to exercise patience and wait for new content.

Next Episode Release Date

Because the next episode is on a reported hiatus, we have no idea when it will be released.

This is a shame, as just after filming the Eastern European Special, Jeremy Clarkson was involved in an interview where he talked about what they’d been doing in the European countries, as well as when it could reach Prime Video.

“Well, we came in through the mountains from Hungary, so it’s just straight away very pretty. And then it stays very pretty to here. So it’s just very pretty,” he said. “Well, this is, it is actually the finish point for a long – about a 2,200 kilometer drive from Gdansk at the top of Poland. All the way down to Krakow, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and then here.”

He was further asked how long it would be before its release:

“A very long time. Is it six months, perhaps? Six months,” he tells the interviewer.

Unfortunately, if this was true, the episode would already have already been released to Prime Video, so we’re thinking he may have misspoken here.

Eastern Europe

The Grand Tour Season 5 Special will take place in Eastern Europe, a region that is known for its stunning scenery and fascinating culture. The episode will feature the hosts driving through several countries in the region, including Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland. The team has promised that the episode will be filled with exciting challenges, stunning locations, and of course, plenty of car-related shenanigans.

In the Summer of 2022, The Grand Tour team returned from Europe after a long stint of filming. Travelling from Poland to Slovenia, the trio drove 2,000km to bring us what looks to be the best episode so far.

Arriving in Gdansk

Clarkson, Hammond, and May leave Oxford International Airport on June 19th on a private jet. They  landed in Gdansk , Poland soon after, where their journey began.

Here, they joined their three cars, a Chevrolet SSR, a Crosley Convertible, and a Mitsuoka Le-Seyde which they took to Długia Street. According to Google Maps, this is completely pedestrianised, but according to local reports, the filming was done under secrecy with not even the local law enforcement knowing about the team and their plans.

This area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city leading from the Golden Gate to Długi Targ square. It looks like the trio drove the length of this, as well as around the post-shipyard areas, the port, and Westerplatte.

This is where our assumptions begin. Gdansk is home to where the first gunshots of World War II were shot, and this theme continues to a few of the locations the team travels to later in the week of filming.

Before they left the city, a hot rod based on a 1959 Ford Popular was also spotted. This will become more prevalent later on.

Did The Grand Tour Travel to Ukraine?

It was a couple of days into filming when fans started wondering if The Grand Tour was heading to Ukraine. As we know, Jeremy has been very passionate about supporting the people of Ukraine since the war with Russia started, so at this point, it wasn’t such a stretch, especially when Jeremy showed his support of driving armoured vehicles into the country on Twitter.

As we now know, the team didn’t make it to Ukraine. Instead, they travelled South-West.

Zielona Gora – The Grand Tour Visits Vineyards

We followed the trio as they travelled to Zielona Gora, a city in the Lubusz province of the country. It’s known for its endless vineyards so it wouldn’t be a surprise if we see Clarkson, Hammond and May tasting some wine at this point of the episode.

It also has connections to WWII, with it being reported that 30% of the city had been damaged by the Germans.

Richard Hammond Crashes At Tor Poznań Racetrack

Continuing West, the trio were spotted at a racetrack. I did some investigation work and figures out that this was the  Tor Poznań  racetrack in the city of Poznan. The track almost became part of the F1 calendar in the ’80s thanks to its connection to Polish F1 driver Robert Kubica, but this never came to fruition.

This didn’t stop Clarkson, Hammond and May from driving some open-wheeled race cars around the track. As you heard,  Richard Hammond lived up to his antics and crashed into a barrier . He was unhurt but the car sustained a little front-end damage. According to our sources, this was caused by the engine seizing. Hammond was seen next to the wreck in a racing suit with May standing next to him looking a bit disappointed in his fellow presenter.

Judging from a photo of Jeremy with a stopwatch hanging around his neck, it looks like they were doing timed laps here.

James May Breaks Down

As the trio headed from Poznan to Lower Silesia, Hammond’s bad luck was passed to  James May as his Crosley broke down . We don’t know what happened to the car, but it was pushed onto the back of a trailer as May waited for a replacement.

What was that replacement? The hot rod, of course.

The Grand Tour Visits a German Concentration Camp

Next stop:  Jeremy posted a photo  to his Instagram account of Stalag Luft 3, a German concentration camp in the town of Sagan, Lower Silesia. This continues the WWII theme and should act as a sobering moment in the episode. Around this time the team also visited Krakow.

Leaving The Country and Entering Slovakia

After a brief drive through Czechia, the trio was seen driving through Slovakia, the country where there are the most cars produced per capita. Here they visited Patak Motors who showed the presenters their car, the Roadster.

Jeremy Clarkson Drives The Skoda 1100 OHC Spider

Still in Slovakia, Jeremy gets into the driver’s seat of a  Skoda 1100 OHC Spider , which he describes as “absolutely fantastic”, at Piešťany Airport. At the same time,  James May was spotted driving the KleinVision AirCar .

The Road To The Finale

The trio continue their travels through Bratislava where they go cycling by the Danube River before continuing to Hungary, and eventually Slovenia.

Slovenia, The Final Destination Of The Grand Tour European Special

Here, Clarkson and Hammond were spotted on Lake Bled without May in the northwest of Slovenia in the Julian Alps. Again, we don’t quite know what they were doing, but they were seen rowing a boat onto the lake before Hammond stood up, rocking the boat.

Despite this being an incredibly popular area for tourists, barely any footage from around the area was taken which is a shame.

The Cars of the next Grand Tour Special

Jeremy clarkson – mitsuoka le-seyde.

Based on a Nissan Silvia S13, this sports car is made to resemble a Zimmer Golden Spirit. under the body panels it retains a lot of the same running gear as the iconic Japanese sports car, but as these cars are so tunable, it wouldn’t be a surprise to find out it’s been modified in some way.

In an off-white, it’s definitely the most identifiable of the three cars used in the upcoming episode.

Richard Hammond – Chevrolet SSR

The Chevrolet SSR is very, very cool. Standing for Super Sport Roadster, the SSR is powered by either a 300 horsepower or 380 horsepower V8 depending on the year. The year of this exact car I can’t figure out, but it’s safe to say these things were negatively reviewed when they were revealed. But its retro shape has kind of stood the test of time and I’m really excited to hear what the show’s resident American thinks of this interesting but impractical car.

James May – Crosley Convertible

The Crosley Convertible is yet another car from America which tried to capitalise on the lack of cars available after the war. The owner of Crosley, Powel Crosley, Jr., actually made his money from refrigerators and radios before WW2, but 1946 brought this horrible thing. Creating just 26 and a half horsepower from its 725cc engine, this slab-sided vehicle likely won’t be fast enough to stay in front of the camera for too long.

Although this might actually be a good thing if you know the mess James got into the last episode …

We spotted this car broken down later in the process of filming, so it will be interesting to see if it makes it.

Backup Car – 1959 Ford Popular

A hot rod, based on a 1959 Ford Popular , can be seen from photos of The Grand Tour trio taken during filming. Painted in a pearlescent blue with writing down the side, this car is certainly a standout part of the episode. And after May breaks down , he can be seen driving it later during filming.

The 110 OHC Spider, or “Red Racer”, was released in 1956. The idea for the car was only imagined a number of months before this, but Skoda was quickly able to spin up production to produce this sleek, low-slung, high-performance car.

And that it was, despite wielding only a 1.1-litre four-cylinder engine producing 85 horsepower, it could reach 124mph at full chat. This was a lot of power at the time and the reason? High-octane aviation fuel. Who knew Skoda used to be so cool?

Jeremy takes this for a spin , but we’re unsure exactly where.

James May Flies The AirCar

Similarly to an old Top Gear episode, James May has apparently taken to the air in the AirCar, a car that’s capable of flight.

Powered by a 1.6-litre BMW engine, the AirCar has been issued a certificate of airworthiness by Slovakia’s Transport Authority. the Slovakian company achieved its first intercity flight in June 2021 where it hit speeds of 170 kilometres per hour (105 mph) over a distance of 1,000km. Once on the land, a single press of a button transforms it into a car.

KleinVision, the makers of AirCar, said the following:

“Based on the fact that the aircraft met the conditions of national regulations set for individually manufactured aircraft and the required level of safety was demonstrated, the Slovak Transport Authority (STA) has issued a special certificate of airworthiness. “After obtaining the type certificate, it can manufacture the aircraft commercially.”

Alex Harrington

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Best GT cars 2024 - our favourite grand tourers

Whether it’s a cross-continent drive or attacking a mountain pass when you get there, a great gt car remains impossible to beat for such a task.

Few modern cars have quite so much appeal as the traditional grand tourer. They might seem old fashioned in our current ecosystem of EVs , SUVs , and do (almost) everything supercars but with the GT’s heritage comes a regality that few other car types inherit. 

Essentially, the GT has a simple mantra: to transport its occupants in supreme comfort, speed and style, while remaining capable when the roads get interesting. Simple though it might seem, this is a hard balance to reach, and while many might skew in one direction or another, all must be able to achieve both of these key roles. 

They bring up grand notions of racing down to the south of France in time for a late sitting at your favourite ocean-side restaurant, but in reality a GT’s true capability can be just as much enjoyed on the M25 as the Autoroute du Soleil. 

The two-door coupe form which once defined the GT is no longer a prerequisite, so too the need to be powered by a twelve cylinder engine or drive to be purely to the rear wheels. So in our 2024 list, our favourite GTs come in all sorts of different forms, each with their own distinct personality, yet the same fundamental ability of transporting people at great speed and comfort. 

These are our favourite modern-age GTs, whether they be a traditional coupe, sleek saloon, EV or even an SUV. 

Best GT cars of 2024

Click the links below to read our full review on each or our favourite GTs.

Ferrari Roma

Bentley continental gt, lexus lc500.

• Aston Martin DB1 2

Mercedes-AMG GT

• Porsche Panamera GTS

Porsche Taycan

• Audi e-tron GT

Maserati GranTurismo

• Ferrari Roma  review

Ferrari has long been a key manufacturer of the traditional grand tourer, so it’s no surprise to discover few modern GTs hit quite the same notes as the Roma. This V8-powered two-plus-two coupe comes with elegant restrained styling and a dynamic repertoire that makes it as brilliant to drive on a challenging road as it is munching through hundreds of motorway miles. 

First launched in 2020, the Roma was a brand new addition to the Ferrari range, combining the hardware and aluminium-intensive chassis derived from the Portofino with a sleek coupe body. Ferrari also used the Roma to introduce its next generation interior design and digital interfaces, dominated by a highly-configurable curved screen ahead of the driver paired to a new portrait-aspect screen in the centre of the dash.

The Roma’s powered by Ferrari’s twin-turbocharged 90-degree 3.9-litre V8, here producing 560lb ft of torque between 3000 and 5750, with a peak of 611bhp taking over from 5750 to the 7500rpm redline. This, combined with Ferrari’s clever e-differential and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission mounted on the rear axle gives the Roma an impressive 3.4sec 0-62mph time, also breaking the ten second barrier to 124mph at 9.3sec.  

With a Spider  version recently added to the Roma family and Ferrari's replacement for the GT4C Lusso now the V12-engined (not an) SUV Purosangue , the Roma is Ferrari's most traditional GT car. One of the best, too.

• Bentley Continental GT review

If you’re after a GT car with a greater emphasis on luxury, few can rival Bentley and its beguiling Continental GT. Available in coupe and convertible body styles, and with V8 and for the time being with W12 powertrains, the Continental GT took a major leap forward in its current generation, introducing a new platform co-developed by Porsche that has enhanced both its driving dynamics and refinement. 

Dynamically, the 542bhp V8 model is the sweeter to drive with less weight over the nose and a baritone rumble from under the vast bonnet, but for the full experience the 626bhp W12-powered Speed is hard to ignore and one to saviour while you still can.

Emphasising its place at the top of the range, the Speed features an electronically-controlled locking rear differential that, alongside an active anti-roll system and monster carbon ceramic brakes, makes it amazingly capable over challenging roads. Although it lacks the V8's agility and enthusiasm.

Yet the Continental GT isn’t really about on-the-limit handling, rather its ability to embrace the driver at any speed. Its superb refinement, exceptional ride quality, total insulation from the outside and beautifully finished interior make it one of motoring’s great experiences to effortlessly thunder across vast distances

• Lexus LC500 Coupe review

The Lexus LC does luxury Japanese style, which means despite having a significant downstep in power and performance compared to its European rivals, its naturally-aspirated V8 engine focuses on charisma and precision. It responds instantly to every squeeze of the accelerator and makes an intoxicating induction howl as you rev it – one painstakingly honed by Toyota’s long-standing partnership with Yamaha.

This distinctive dynamic character is then reflected in the way the LC500 looks and feels from within the cabin. Even five years after its launch, the LC looks like nothing else on the road, with a combination of concept car-like detailing and stunning proportions. It’s also built to an incredibly high standard, with a tangible precision in its build that permeates the whole car.

It’s not as fast as most rivals, doesn’t have cutting edge technology, nor is quite as ultimately variable in its character but the LC500 feels like a mechanical watch in a world of smartwatches – a unique entity and one we dearly hope doesn’t go away any time soon. We suspect that it will stick around for a while, considering that Lexus has continued to fine hone and tweak the LC500 throughout its life – culminating in the flagship Ultimate Edition this year

Aston Martin DB12

• Aston Martin DB1 2 review

To mark the dawn of its Lawrence Stroll-led era, Aston Martin has carved a new, stronger identity with a GT car that blends elegance with serious bite and poise. The DB12 may look similar to the DB11 that came before it, but Aston Martin has reworked it to the core to provide a fundamentally different driving experience; and it's one we like a lot at evo . 

Aston's twin-turbo V12 has been ousted due to emissions regulations, but the uprated AMG V8 in the nose of the DB12 fulfils its role beautifully. Delivering a rich exhaust note and 671bhp to the rear wheels, it's refined and flexible but deceptively potent when you open it up. There's serious performance on offer here, and the DB12 feels more exciting than even the sharpened DB11 AMR. 

With extra bracing in its chassis and a far more reactive chassis setup, the DB12 feels tauter and more controlled, too. There's an alertness, an agility to the new car that the DB11 – for all its suppleness and refinement – simply can't match, and it moves the Aston right into battle with the likes of the Ferrari Roma. 

A heavily revamped interior rounds off the series of enhancements. Gone is the fiddly HMI system borrowed from old Mercedes models, and in comes a far more intuitive and feature rich touchscreen nestled within a redesigned dashboard. All of the touchpoints now have a crisp, quality feel that's befitting of a £185,000 Aston Martin, which certainly wasn't the case before.

• Mercedes-AMG GT review

The latest Mercedes-AMG SL didn't exactly fill us with hope as a precursor to the new, closely related AMG GT. The SL has been repositioned as a more practical, four-seat roadster that also happens to be a sports car, but the result is a confused, misaligned package that we haven't quite gelled with; so much so that it came last at evo  Car of the Year in 2022. 

But the AMG GT is different. Despite riding on the same platform and using the same fundamental powertrain, it feels more focused and tightly defined as a usable everyday sports car, one that – from our first drive abroad at least – will give the Porsche 911 Turbo a serious headache. 

With a 577bhp 4-litre twin-turbo V8 and four-wheel drive, the range-topping GT 63 hits very hard indeed; 62mph comes up in just 3.2sec, and the top speed isn't far shy of 200mph. But the AMG GT has always been quick, and it's the extra sharpness and composure of the new model that really moves the game on – despite it being more usable than ever. 

Select Comfort mode and the new GT presents you with a fluid, compliant character that's more mellow than before, and ratcheting up to Sport+ brings extra snap to the engine response and tightens up the damping, although not to the extent that the GT feels overly stiff or uncouth. We wish the V8 was a little more vocal and present inside the cabin, but the AMG GT is now more flexible and technically impressive than ever.

While Porsche doesn’t strictly offer a traditional two-door grand tourer in its range (the last being the 928), the Panamera has been doing an excellent job of filling that role with its two extra doors over two generations now. The current model – due for a heavy update in 2024 – is a supreme example of Porsche's engineering prowess.

The second Panamera was developed on a platform that’s shared by the Continental GT and Flying Spur, capable of packaging some serious chassis hardware into its considerable footprint. Yet despite sharing many parts under the skin, the Porsche takes a more variable approach to its variants, with both hatchback and Sport Turismo models paired to a range of V6 and V8 powertrains with or without plug-in hybrid modules. 

Our favourite is the GTS, a mid-range V8-powered model without any electrification elements and the most dynamic focus. It might not have the numbers of a Turbo or Turbo S – it makes do with a relatively conservative 473bhp – but the GTS makes use of every one of them, and does so with an attitude and feedback missing in more elaborately specified siblings. 

Without the added weight of a plug-in module and a more natural, nuanced balance, the GTS has all the appeal of a genuine sports saloon, one that makes a fine grand tourer.

• Porsche Taycan review

If a four-door Porsche being on this list of best GTs felt like a controversial addition, here’s another: the all-electric Taycan. To say we’ve been critical of EVs might be a reasonable statement, but none have changed our perception of them quite as resolutely as the Taycan. 

Since its initial debut in 2019, the Taycan has diversified to nearly as many variants as a 911, with three body styles – a Sport Turismo estate and high-riding Cross Turismo have joined the existing saloon – joined by more recent updates to the Taycan 4 and 4S. The range has also been joined by the GTS that once again has proved to be the most deft balance between raising its capability without needing to rely on feel-sapping chassis augmentation tech. 

The most remarkable thing about the Taycan is that beyond just being fast and capable, it also drives with the same finesse and attention to detail that defines all Porsches. This is felt through the steering, chassis balance and impressive damping, helping disguise its 2295kg mass like few rivals. 

Of course as a GT, the Taycan is compromised by its relatively limited range, which compared to larger rivals can only muster a range of 315 miles in its most efficient form in a best case scenario. Still, despite the romance of a GT being based around long-distance cruising across national borders, the reality is that most daily driving is much shorter, making the Taycan an ideal daily driver for those who want to adopt EV technology without giving up a Porsche-like driving experience.

Next up on our list is another EV, one that’s closely related to the Porsche Taycan above only with even more of a grand touring nature. It says so in the name, but it’s worth remembering that the Audi e-tron GT lives up to it with a superb combination of excellent comfort, refinement and the ability to drive almost as well as the more dynamically-focused Porsche Taycan.

The Audi’s range is more restrained, with only two powertrain options in a single body style. This is made up of the base e-tron GT that comes with 523bhp, and the top-spec RS e-tron GT, that has up to 636bhp. Both have the same larger 93.4kWh battery pack as higher-specification Taycans with up to 305 miles of range. 

To drive, the Audi takes a more languid approach to its dynamics, highlighted by softer springs (air or coil) and dampers, much lighter steering and more relaxed rates for its anti-roll bars (again, adaptive or static). 

Over long distances, the Audi generally impresses, and while it lacks the ultimate dynamic sparkle of the Taycan is in most cases the more relaxing to drive long distances. With a pre-organised route with a consistent set of high-speed charging points along the way, the e-tron GT makes for a brilliant grand tourer.

• Maserati GranTurismo review

The clue's in the name. The Maserati GranTurismo taps into the firm's legacy as a maker of achingly gorgeous, fast, sumptuous and engaging GT cars, picking up where the MC20 left off as one of the finest models of its type. 

In its final years, the last-gen GranTurismo  withered against more advanced and more capable rivals from Aston Martin and Bentley , but from a purely visual standpoint, it remained hard to beat. Thankfully, the new GranTurismo carries forward much of its design DNA, but the beneath the skin is a car transformed. 

The top-spec Trofeo version generates 542bhp from its MC20-derived twin-turbo V6, hurling from 0-62mph in 3.5sec and on to a 199mph top speed. But even when you aren't exercising the engine to test those claims, the GranTurismo feels beautifully engineered and indulgent – particularly now that the cabin feels truly special with exceptional fit and finish. 

Switch to Corsa mode and in a blink, the character changes dramatically. The V6 takes on a harder, sharper character and the GranTurismo flows with wonderful precision. The four-wheel drive system is beautifully judged to provide security without strangling adjustability, and it feels a match for the latest and greatest GTs out there. Maserati is well and truly back on form.

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The 22 Best Grand Touring Cars

GT cars combine comfort, style, and performance to create a swift, opulent driving experience.

Grand tourers aim to provide the best of what the car world has to offer—the greatest luxury, the highest performance, and the most beautiful styling. Here are some of the greatest GT cars out there.

Ferrari 456

Chevrolet Corvette

On the surface, you might not think the Corvette would make for a good GT car. It has just two seats, and sports-car focus. But really, thanks to comfortable magnetic ride suspension, a massive trunk, and torquey V-8, it's great on long trips. This one's up for bidding on eBay.

The M6 is basically a two-door version of the wonderful M5, meaning it gets the same powerful engine and fantastic driving dynamics. The last-gen model shown here even has a V-10 engine. Here's one with a rare manual transmission you can own now.

Bentley Continental GT

The Continental GT is all-new for 2019, with a restyled body and a 626-horsepower W-12 engine, or a 550-hp V-8. It looks great, and drives as well as you'd expect. This used example is barely broken-in, and you can own it today.

Ford Mustang GT

The Mustang has come a long way from its crude muscle car beginnings. It's a truly fun car to drive in all environments, whether it be the track, the drag strip, or the street. And because it has four seats, you don't have to compromise much. Here's a brand-new one you can own right now.

Ferrari 812 Superfast

Ferrari's front-engined V-12 family of cars is a lineage of fantastic daily-drivable machines, all with massive power and the great sounds you expect from something with a Ferrari badge. The 812 Superfast is the latest from Maranello. This one's painted in a lovely shade of black, and you can own it.

The McLaren GT is named appropriately, as it's one of the most comfort-minded cars to come out of Woking. There's ample luggage space, a more compliant suspension, and a new infotainment system to make sure occupants are as satisfied as possible. Here's one with just 44 miles on the clock for sale now.

Ferrari GTC4Lusso

The GTC4Lusso is currently Ferrari's most practical car, with all-wheel drive and four usable seats. It also has enough luggage space for long journeys thanks to that sweet shooting brake design. This one's painted in a lovely shade of white, and you can own it.

The XJS can be found for relatively low prices on the used market thanks to their reputation for unreliability. But if you're willing to put up with that, you'll get a wonderful V-12-powered GT experience. Here's one up for bidding on eBay now.

Aston Martin Vanquish

Aston's first Vanquish remains one of the prettiest cars the company has ever put out, complimented by that wonderful V-12 soundtrack. And if you're not a fan of the automatic transmission, you can send it back to the UK to have the factory put a manual transmission in. This one's for sale on eBay right now for just $70,000.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

If you'd rather have something a bit more modern from Aston Martin, consider the DBS Superleggera. It's the most capable front-engine production car on offer from the brand right now, with 715 horsepower from a twin-turbo V-12 under the hood. This one only has 1500 miles on the odometer, and it's for sale.

Rolls-Royce Wraith

While the Wraith is undoubtedly more full-on luxury machine than performance-oriented grand-tourer, it still deserves a spot on this list. It's the sportiest car in Rolls-Royce's lineup, packing a twin-turbo V-12 making an impressive 624 horsepower. Here's one painted in purple for sale now.

The RS 7 isn't exactly a two-door coupe, but its grand touring intentions are just as pure as any other car on this list. It provides massive power paired with loads of tech and comfort features, plus an all-wheel drive system than can get you through pretty much anything. And it looks cool as hell.

Porsche 928

The 928 was originally meant to replace the 911, coming as a strong departure from Porsche's original formula. The 928 used a front-mounted, water-cooled V-8 sending power to a rear transaxle. Thankfully, the 911 persevered , but we love the 928's decidedly 1980s style. This early manual-equipped model is in great condition, and it can be yours.

Porsche 911

Of course, the 911 has always been a great all-rounder worthy of being on this list. It's comfortable enough to drive everyday, supremely luxurious, and plenty capable around your favorite back road. Here's a used 2020 model up for grabs on eBay now.

Maserati GranTurismo

The GranTurismo has been around for more than a decade, nearly unchanged from when it first hit showrooms in 2007. With a Ferrari-designed V-8 and stellar looks, it remains one of the most stylish new cars you can own. Over 10 years later, it's still being built, and the refreshed models look great . If you're willing to brave the maintenance costs, older models can now be had for under $30,000 .

Jaguar E-Type

You can't mention Grand Touring cars without bringing up the Jaguar E-Type. It's become an icon in the classic car world, sought after by collectors for its fantastic design and wonderful driving elements. You can own this British racing green Series I model today.

Mercedes-Benz SL

For decades, the Mercedes SL has occupied a corner in the company's lineup as a two-seater GT perfect for long drives and top-down fun. Nowadays, cars like the S-Class convertible and AMG GT convertible offer similar top-down joy, but we still love the SL. This AMG SL63 has just 8100 miles on the clock, and it can be yours.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

If you need a bit more space in your Mercedes-badged GT car, the bigger S-Class is a perfect SL alternative. Available in coupe or convertible form, it's perfectly suited to cruise without a fuss for hours in endless comfort. This S63 model is for sale right now online.

Lexus LC500

Though the LC500 uses Lexus's 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V-8, it's designed to be an all-around daily driver with a goal of comfort and satisfaction behind the wheel. The result is one of Lexus's best cars ever. Here's a beautiful blue model you can own now.

Brian Silvestro is Hearst Autos' former lead deputy editor for rankings content. He spent over seven years as a staff writer for Road & Track Magazine where he contributed car reviews, industry interviews, and more. He has a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.

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2024 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo Test: Grand Tourific

The latest version of Maserati's life's-been-good coupe switches to a new powerplant yet maintains its persona.

From the May/June issue of Car and Driver.

Are any initials more misused than the G and T of a purported grand tourer?

We'll quickly pour out a tribute to the departed V-8 powerplants, because the GranTurismo's curved hood covers a toned-down version of the Nettuno twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 from the Maserati MC20 supercar . Or, if you want to step it up, there's the electric 818-hp three-motor GranTurismo Folgore. Don't cry over spilled cylinders, though, because if any engine can make hexophiles out of octostans, it's this smooth six-pack with bountiful low-end torque in every drive mode and a confident howl under throttle punctuated by sizzling-bacon pops at each upshift. Sure, it's not quite as deep a song as Maserati's outgoing eight-cylinder, but the tune it sings is a bop, and we're feeling it. The Nettuno isn't just a good-sounding engine; at the test track, it dug in with all 479 pound-feet of torque to lay down an 11.5-second quarter-mile, crossing the line at 121 mph after reaching 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. For Joe Walsh fans who may be wondering, yes, it will do 185. Technical editor Dan Edmunds says he saw 189 before he ran out of straightaway, but "My Maserati does 189 and is still pulling" doesn't rhyme as well with "Now I don't drive."

The Trofeo's engine is backed by ZF's eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Around town, the ZF makes quick and painless gearchanges, and in manual mode, the paddles give instant response and those fun exhaust crackles. Maserati offers four wheel designs for the GranTurismo, all 20 inches in the front and 21 inches in the rear. Our test car wore the standard gloss-black Pegasos wrapped in Pirelli P Zero PZ4 summer tires. We kept those Pirellis in motion and saw 17 mpg. The EPA ratings for the Trofeo are 21 combined, 18 city, and 27 highway, but the feds don't drive like we do.

Although it's a heavy car at 4207 pounds, the Trofeo makes tidy turns with minimal wallow and averaged 0.97 g on the skidpad. On big straightaways, it will tear forward or cruise politely, with enthusiasm tempered only by your ankle angle. Adaptive air springs make a noticeable change from Comfort mode's breezy float to the lowered, more connected feel of Corsa. We found ourselves preferring the low-key charms of the in-between GT mode, which seems to make the car hover over small cracks and bumps in the road surface while still keeping body motions tight through corners. Passengers preferred it too, and we had plenty of willing riders.

The exterior of the GranTurismo is gorgeous—a similar shape to previous models but with a more cheerful lift to its straked front grille and a profile that narrows and flares with the elegance of a bias-cut silk gown. Its broad flanks make room in the trunk for whatever you need to carry on your ideal road-trip adventure, and inside, the front seats are large and supportive, while the rears are . . . there. A small person would fit okay; a hatbox would fit better.

The seats themselves are perfect, with an almost old-fashioned amount of padding that makes long drives in the Trofeo as comfortable as a couch nap, and the car's sensible ride height means exiting is grunt-free. It was also a pleasant change from scrapey sports cars to be able to pull into gas stations and steep driveways without even thinking about the approach angle. Most of the interior layout is equally user-friendly. Although we worried about accidentally hitting the engine start/stop button on the steering wheel, that was never an issue. The 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster is clear and easy to navigate, as are the 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the digital climate controls below. The instrument display changes with drive-mode selection, and the center-mounted clock in the dash can switch to a compass or a g-meter in a clever melding of retro and modern.

Life's been good to the Trofeo so far, but we do have some complaints. The shifter buttons, which divide the top screen from the climate-control screen, feel cheap, and most gear selections took at least two attempts. As the whole panel moves with any action, it's hardly a feeling you want to experience more than necessary. Maserati's driver-aid tech is a pricey add-on, and while we can live without lane-keeping assist and drowsy-driver warnings, modern features like adaptive cruise control and 360-degree cameras really shouldn't be a $4500 option. With the Trofeo's $191,995 base sticker and this car's $212,615 as-tested price, we'd expect Maserati to throw in adaptive cruise and some better-feeling switchgear. But when it comes to the GT initials, the GranTurismo wears them well.

Specifications

2024 Maserati Gran Turismo Trofeo Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe

PRICE Base/As Tested: $191,995/$212,615 Options: Grigio Maratea Matte paint, $4500; ADAS package 1 (active blind-spot assist and active lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic detection, 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, Drowsy Driver detection), $4500; 19-speaker Sonus Faber audio system, $4000; Technical Assistance package (head-up display, digital rearview mirror), $2600; carbon-fiber Macrotwill leather seat covering, $2500; Trofeo Sport Design package (lightweight aluminum sport pedals, illuminated stainless-steel door sills, Maserati logo), $1450; Trofeo Comfort package (power front seats, kick sensor for power trunk), $1070

ENGINE twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection Displacement: 183 in 3 , 2992 cm 3 Power: 542 hp @ 6500 rpm Torque: 479 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm 

TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic

CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink Brakes, F/R: 15.0-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4 F: 265/30ZR-20 (94Y) XL MGT R: 295/30ZR-21 (102Y) XL MGT

DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 115.3 in Length: 195.5 in Width: 77.0 in Height: 53.3 in Curb Weight: 4207 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 3.2 sec 100 mph: 7.7 sec 1/4-Mile: 11.5 sec @ 121 mph 130 mph: 13.4 sec 150 mph: 19.3 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.8 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 sec Top Speed (mfr claim): 199 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 148 ft Braking, 100–0 mph: 299 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.97 g 

C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 17 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 21/18/27 mpg 

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

Like a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver’s license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews. In 2020, she received a Best Feature award from the Motor Press Guild for the C/D story "A Drive through Classic Americana in a Polestar 2."  In 2023, her Car and Driver feature story "In Washington, D.C.'s Secret Carpool Cabal, It's a Daily Slug Fest" was awarded 1st place in the 16th Annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards by the Los Angeles Press Club.  

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2023 Genesis G70 – Rebirth of the Grand Tour

Car Reviews

2023 Genesis G70

Rebirth of the grand tour.

STEWART BEACH, TEXAS – Rooster plumes of sand soared high in the air as I quietly reassured Blonde Bride. I was struggling to free the 2023 Genesis G70 RWD 3.3T Sport Prestige from the sole small patch of soft sand visible for miles.

It was rookie move that, for a moment, threatened to imperil our latest anniversary sojourn. We’ve had some grand adventures, choosing autumn weeks when the most attractive vehicles land in our driveway. We enjoy each other’s company so much and are so compatible that every day turns into a grand adventure.

We’ve traveled from the Ozarks to New Orleans, but of late have settled on Galveston Island. Both the climate and the people are warm, and the little town has a rich array of attractions. Shop the Strand, visit museums, take long walks on the beach, eat fresh seafood – there is so much to do. We’ve been here two years in a row, and I have yet to check off three items near the top of my wish list: rent a bike, fly a kite, take a helicopter ride.

We chose the week we received Genesis’ sport luxury compact sedan because, hey, it’s built by Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury arm. That means state-of-the-art technology, properly dialed in driver assist gear, plush interiors, and in the case of the G70 3.3, power and athleticism. Built to compete with the BMW 3 series and Mercedes C Class, but at a significantly lower price, the G70 rolled out in 2017 and was facelifted in 2020. At first thrust it drew blood.

Put a 370-hp twin turbo V6 mated to a slick 8-speed automatic into a luxury car with a light and strong chassis, advanced suspension and rear-wheel drive, and one has all the components of a classic European GT – a Gran Tourer. The G70 pulls all that together in a machine that is a joy to drive: quick, lithe, seriously powerful.

Sixty comes in just 4.7 seconds, which is competitive with similar German sedans costing $20,000 – $30,000 more than our $44,710 tester. I don’t know how fast it will go and will most certainly never find out. I shot around a log truck and within seconds hit 108 mph, a fact I became aware of when gently chided by Beautiful Blonde, who, unlike me, was watching the head-up display in the windshield.

The G70 is about much more than raw power. Handling is quick and sure-footed, but the car still provides the ride and comfort of a premium sedan. 

About that engine

None of which is a recommendation to buy this car. On the surface there is nothing wrong and, selling from $37,150 for a base model with a 2.0-L four to $46,710 for an all-wheel-drive, top-of-line version, it represents a tremendous value. The problem is it is really a Hyundai, which with subsidiary Kia this week informed investors it was setting aside $2 billion to settle a fusillade of class action lawsuits pertaining to oil-consumption woes in all four of its engine types. 

Low oil can damage an engine, and excess consumption means oil is being pumped through the exhaust system. That can clog a catalytic converter, which these days is nearly as expensive as a replacement engine.

The other issue is that there are few Genesis dealers. Rather than undergo the expense of creating a dealer network, like Toyota did with Lexus and Nissan did with Infiniti, Hyundai used store fronts and a concierge service to sell and service its Genesis franchises. The concierge service drove the cars to Hyundai dealers. In J.D. Power’s latest dealership rankings , Hyundai and Genesis dealerships rank near the bottom in customer experience. GMC topped the list. Lexus was near the top.

Some of that may be a result of the service experience. The lawsuits allege that if customers were unable to provide detailed service records, dealers refused to repair engines still under warranty. One plaintiff alleged his warranty was not honored because an oil-change shop used an inferior oil filter. Another plaintiff said he provided detailed records, but the dealer said it did not believe him and forced the owner into a $6,000 engine replacement.

Yeah, that will you land you in court.

The pity in all this is that if it were not for these issues, I would join the chorus of auto writers screaming from the rooftops that you should buy a G70. Our tester arrived with nearly 10,000 press-fleet miles on the odometer, and it was flawless. I have no idea what the story will be when it hits the warranty limit of 100,000 miles.

We did notice one other major drawback: poor fuel economy. Even driving in a manner that met with Blue-eyed Blonde’s approval, the best I could manage was 24 mpg running premium unleaded fuel. The EPA says to expect 21 mpg in combined mileage, which is abysmal for a compact car by modern standards. The 2.0 liter turbocharged four does a little better, averaging 25 mpg. With gas prices volatile, cars – even performance cars – should deliver 30 miles per gallon…and aim for 40.

Hyundai has said it will quickly move to all-electric vehicles. At the same time, it fired dozens of gas-engine engineers and put younger, electric-oriented engineers in leadership positions. That was probably a good idea.

In all, we loved our week with the Genesis, though there was that one moment I wished it had come with all-wheel drive, a $2,000 option.

I had noticed the soft sand earlier that day, when we drove out to Stewart Beach after stuffing ourselves with a fresh and sumptuous breakfast at the Sunflower Bakery and Cafe. We’d spent the night out at High Island, on the Bolivar Peninsula, which had allowed us to spend the afternoon exploring Port Arthur for a top-notch seafood market, Marie’s, which we visited again on our way home to load up the ice chests with fresh shrimp and crabs for friends and relatives, like the lovely Ruth Hesser, who always introduces me as her favorite son-in-law. (OK, I’m the only one, but who’s counting?)

In Port Arthur, we discovered a local delicacy, BBQ crab, which is actually a whole crab dipped in a spicy breading and deep fried. We went back for seconds on the return trip.

After a walk on a desolate beach and night at a funky hotel on High Island, we headed down the road and hopped a ferry into Galveston. Five ferries work the route, but we wound up on the Dewitt C. Greer, named after a Pittsburg, Texas civil engineer who became known as the king of the highway builders. An office building in Austin also bears his name.

Fortuitously, I used my shadowy collection of shady contacts to book a school of dolphins to accompany the ferry across the channel. I paid extra to have them leap and frolic, which pleased Beautiful Bride no end.

After all that and a big breakfast, we were drowsy. We noticed Stewart Beach was nearly empty, so we pulled into a parking spot, lowered the windows, opened the roof, and caught a cat nap while the ocean serenaded us with the gentle pounding of waves.

Later, after checking into our go-to hotel, the Best Western Plus, where all balconies face the Gulf, we headed back for a stroll on Stewart’s wide white sands.

As I entered the parking lot, I decided to let the G70 do a little sashay in the sand. I forgot to disengage the Electronic Stability Control, which does things like prevent cars from sashaying in sand. Instead, the car straightened itself out and buried the back wheels.

Hey, I grew up on the beach. I know how to rock a car out of sand and mud. Turns out, you can’t when ESC is engaged. Blue-eyed Bride informed me she was getting scared.

I finally figured out the issue and pushed the magic button. That unleashed the engine’s prodigious power. The rear wheels shot plumes of sand high in the air as we rocked back and forth, creating a track that allowed us to build momentum and escape the trap.

Thus was writ another chapter in another fine Bill and Pam adventure.

In four decades of journalism, Bill Owney has picked up awards for his coverage of everything from murders to the NFL to state and local government. He added the automotive world to his portfolio in the mid '90s.

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour

All aboard .

Get a look into Walt Disney’s love for trains and discover the impact it had on the Disneyland Resort. On this eye-opening, 2-hour tour sure to delight both Disneyland fans and railroad enthusiasts alike, you’ll:

Start with a Treat Enjoy a beverage and a pastry to steam power your journey through Disneyland park.

Step into the Past Walk through the park listening to stories about where the idea behind Walt’s train creations first started. Understand the impact trains had on Walt Disney’s dreams—from animation and film all the way to the theme parks.

Catch a Rare Glimpse of the Disneyland Park Roundhouse This is where “the magic happens” for the historic Disneyland Railroad system and it’s not typically viewed by the public. You’ll learn more about the Imagineers that look after the Disneyland Monorail and trains.

Take a Special Ride During your guided tour, climb aboard Disneyland Railroad’s special Presidential Car, the Lilly Belle. Take the scenic route along the Rivers of America to see landscapes inspired by 4 of America’s majestic rivers: the Mississippi, the Columbia, the Missouri and the Rio Grande. Each are carefully recreated, complete with indigenous rock formations, natural forests, wildlife and 5 picturesque waterfalls.

Riding in the Lilly Belle is dependent on weather and availability.

And Enjoy a Special Keepsake A memento to remember your tour is included.

Know Before You Go

Required Park Reservation and Admission

Reservations

Late arrivals may not be able to join the guided tour. Please be prepared to present your reservation confirmation, photo ID and the credit card provided at the time of booking.

This tour is only available during regular park hours at Disneyland Park.

Cancellations

There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged and forfeited if Guest cancels within one day or is a no-show for the reservation.

Riding in the Lilly Belle

Guests utilizing wheelchairs must be able to transfer from their mobility device to a wheelchair provided at the attraction.

Guests younger than 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older during the entire experience.

Important Details

All prices, experiences, information and offerings are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice.

Related Activities

Premium experiences at the disneyland resort, disneyland resort vip tours, walt's main street story tour, safety, accessibility and guest policies.

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Indycar long beach grand prix: scott dixon wins as colton herta takes the blame for hitting josef newgarden.

• Nate Ryan ,

Pulling off another masterful fuel conservation startegy, Scott Dixon has won the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach for the second time and his first since 2015.

It’s the 57th career victory for Dixon, who has won four of the last six IndyCar races. The six-time NTT IndyCar Series champion stretched the No. 9 Dallara-Honda’s final tank of fuel 34 laps to win by 0.9798 seconds over Colton Herta, followed by Alex Palou, Josef Newgarden and Marcus Ericsson.

“That was tough,” Dixon told NBC Sports’ Marty Snider. “That was real tough. I honestly didn’t think we were going to make it. Luckily we were on the safe side. Hopefully we can keep doing this.”

RACE RESULTS : Click here for the finishing order in the 40th Grand Prix of Long Beach

It appeared Dixon’s biggest challenge would come from Newgarden, but the 2023 Indy 500 winner lost two spots after stalling in the hairpin after contact from behind by Colton Herta.

“Josef was coming strong, and I was unsure how he was going to be behind us,” Dixon said. “But I also knew that he’d be burning the tires off, too. (Team owner) Chip (Ganassi) came on and said, ‘Just go for it, man.’

“The stress level was high. Those guys were coming fast and strong. We were off by a lap or two of making it easy. I think other fuel races I’ve done, I’ve had it under control for the whole stint.

“I saw Josef coming, and I knew he was going to be really strong. Don’t know what happened there. And I knew Colton would be strong. The last two laps, the team came on and said go for it, we’ve got plenty of fuel. And away we went.”

Snider said Newgarden and his team were outraged on the radio that Herta was given no penalty in the collision. After the race, Herta and Newgarden had an apparently amicable conversation about the incident in pit lane.

“It seemed pretty obvious,” Newgarden told NBC Sports’ Kevin Lee. “He just misjudged it and ran into me. I got lifted up off the ground a foot or two. You have to wait for the clutch to re-engage and get reset. I’m not going to say we were going to get Dixon. It was very difficult to get the run I needed. I think traffic was going to provide me an opportunity. So that run was maybe going to be my last chance. Never know if I’d pulled it off. Maybe not. He was really quick. I don’t know how they were going as far as they were (on fuel).

“We had a great car, good speed all weekend. I think we have to be happy with a fourth, but I’m not sure about the Herta deal. I think they should probably look at that differently. If you hit somebody, it is what it is.”

In an interview with NBC Sports’ Dillon Welch, Herta took the blame.

“Ultimately it’s up to me to carry the right speed into the corner and not to run into people into the back of people, and I just misjudged it,” Herta said. “I don’t like to race like that, especially a guy like Josef that I have a lot of respect for, but our Honda was really good today. Dixon, I still don’t know he got to the lead or what happened there. Overall, I’m happy with two really good races to start the year. Hopefully we can keep this going.”

Dixon’s victory capped a big weekend for Chip Ganassi Racing, which also won Saturday’s IMSA race at Long Beach .

Lap 77 — Herta collides with Newgarden

It seems Josef Newgarden won’t win his second consecutive IndyCar street race to start the 2024 season.

With eight laps remaining, the two-time series champion and 2023 Indy 500 winner stalled in the hairpin Turn 11 on Lap 77 after getting rear-ended by Colton Herta.

After briefly losing power, Newgarden lost two spots and fell behind Herta and Alex Palou.

Scott Dixon continues to lead by more than a second over Herta, who wasn’t penalized for the contact. NBC Sports pit reporter Marty Snider reported that Newgarden is “fuming” over the lack of a call by the race stewards. Snider said Newgarden’s No. 2 Dallara-Chevrolet went into anti-stall mode after the contact from Herta’s No. 26 Dallara-Honda.

Herta put the blame on Newgarden for slowing up through the hairpin.

Lap 75 — Dixon under pressure from Newgarden

With 10 laps remaining in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, leader Scott Dixon leads by 0.7745 seconds and is trying to hold off a charge by Josef Newgarden, who has fresher tires and no fuel concerns but also has Colton Herta on his tail in third.

Herta has cut a few seconds off the margin to Newgarden as the Team Penske driver has tried in vain to find a suitable spot on the tight 11-turn street circuit to pass Dixon. Two-time series champion Alex Palou also is lurking in fourth and could be a factor.

Dixon is trying to stretch his final tank of fuel 34 laps to the finish to earn his second Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach victory.

Lap 62 — Dixon cycles into the lead

With 23 laps remaining, Scott Dixon has cycled back into the lead of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

After pitting on Lap 15 under yellow, Dixon inherited the lead for the first time on Lap 32 during the race’s first green-flag cycle. The six-time series champion pitted with Will Power (who started second and led the first 15 laps) under green on Lap 51.

Josef Newgarden, who won the season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, moved into the lead on Lap 52. The Team Penske driver stayed in first for 10 laps but then gave up the lead to Dixon with a stop on Lap 62.

Dixon now leads Newgarden by nearly 3 seconds, but the Chip Ganassi Racing star must conserve fuel while trying to stretch his tank for the final 34 laps. Newgarden will have fresher tires and no concern about fuel management over the final 20 laps.

Lap 29 — Green flag cycle shakes up order

Green flag pit stops began with pole-sitter Felix Rosenqvist gave up the lead to take four soft tires.

A lap leader, Josef Newgarden stopped from the lead, followed by Marcus Ericsson. Colton Herta stopped from the lead two laps later, handing the lead to Scott Dixon.

Through 43 of 85 laps, the six-time series champion leads Will Power (who gave up first to pit under yellow after leading the first 15 laps) by 3.5 seconds. Dixon also pitted with Power but managed to gain a spot after the restart.

During the first cycle of stops, Christian Lundgaard was given a five-position penalty for an unsafe release from his pit box.

Lap 15 — First caution for rookie in the wall

The first caution flag flew on Lap 15 for Ed Carpenter Racing rookie Christian Rasmussen, who hit the all in Turn 4. Jack Harvey caught a piece of the incident but was able to continue in the No. 18 for Dale Coyne Racing.

NBC replays showed that Rasmussen brushed the wall the lap before, sustaining damage to his No. 20 Dallara-Chevrolet.

“Just unfortunate, tapped the wall out of 11 and thought the car was fine,” Rasmussen told NBC Sports. “My steering was a little bit off, but then I went into 4, it just completely snapped.”

Will Power pitted from the lead under caution, handing the lead to teammate Josef Newgarden.

As the race went green on Lap 18, the top five: Newgadren, Marcus Ericsson, Colton Herta, Alex Palou and Felix Rosenqvist. Power has restarted in 12th.

Lap 10 — Another Arrow McLaren mishap

An already tough weekend for Arrow McLaren has gotten tougher in the first 10 laps of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

After the team’s trio of Dallara-Chevrolets failed to advance from the first round of qualifying, teammates Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi made contact on the opening lap.

O’Ward received a drive-through penalty for avoidable contact after rear-ending Rossi into the fountain hairpin section of the 11-turn, 1.968-mile street course.

After the race, O’Ward took the blame.

Caught off guard with the stack up on the start and I take full responsibility for destroying Alex’s race along with mine. Unacceptable from my side. I owe you all a beer @ArrowMcLaren @AlexanderRossi — Pato O'Ward (@PatricioOWard) April 21, 2024

Rossi was forced to pit to repair damage. On Lap 10, Rossi and O’Ward were outside the top 20, and Theo Pourchaire (who is substituting for injured David Malukas in the No. 6 Dallara-Chevy) was in 18th.

Meanwhile, Will Power has led every lap while opening a 5-second lead on Team Penske teammate Josef Newgadren.

Will Power pounced at the green flag, taking the lead from pole-sitter Felix Rosenqvist on the opening lap of the 40th edition of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

The two-time series champion swept around the outside in Turn 1 to take the lead in his No. 12 Dallara-Chevrolet on Lap 2 (per IndyCar, the first lap and race clock started under caution “due to a Race Control issue”).

Lap 2 — Power pounces on lead

After a winless 2023, Power is hungry for a win and seems to have returned to form early this season.

The Team Penske star, who missed the pole by 0.004 seconds in his best street-course qualifying effort in more than a year, also had an early edge from starting on the softer tire compound.

Rosenqvist dropped four spots in the first five laps on the primary tire, which is more durable but usually has less top-end speed. He is making his second front row start since joining Meyer Shank Racing this season.

This is the first pole position in more than 100 starts for MSR but the sixth for Rosenqvist. Despite his pace, the Swede has only one victory in five past seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow McLaren.

Defending race winner Kyle Kirkwood, who scored his first career IndyCar victory at Long Beach a year ago, will start 10th.

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Dubai floods: Chaos, queues and submerged cars after UAE hit by record rains

Passengers report being stranded in the desert city as the international hub struggles in the wake of unusually heavy rain

Don’t blame cloud seeding for the Dubai floods

Dubai is wrestling with the aftermath of extraordinary torrential rains that flooded the desert city, with people describing harrowing stories of spending the night in their cars, and air passengers enduring chaotic scenes at airports.

Up to 259.5mm (10.2in) of rain fell on the usually arid country of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, the most since records began 75 years ago . The state-run WAM news agency called the rains on Tuesday “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949”.

As the sun returned on Wednesday, along with it came stories of people stuck in cars and offices through an arduous night.

“It was one of the most horrific situations I had ever experienced,” said one Dubai resident in his 30s, who did not want to give his name, after his 15-minute commute turned into a 12-hour ordeal on flooded roads.

At Dubai’s airport, one of the busiest for international travel, with nearly every flight repeatedly delayed, Emirates passengers were told to stay away “unless absolutely necessary”.

Frustration from those already there began to build.

A large crowd formed at a connections desk, clapping and whistling in protest as they waited for information.

“They are completely lost, it’s complete chaos – no information, nothing,” fumed one passenger, who did not want to be named, after a 12-hour wait, Agence France-Presse reported.

Standing water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. One couple called the situation “absolute carnage”. They spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely in a country with strict laws that criminalise critical speech. “You cannot get a taxi. There’s people sleeping in the Metro station. There’s people sleeping in the airport.”

The BBC reported other passengers were diverted to Dubai World Central Airport – also known as Al Maktoum airport – telling the broadcaster they had been “living on duty free” and that water was in short supply.

One furious British traveller told PA Media that once his flight was diverted to Dubai World Central, he had not been given any food or water either. “It’s just been an absolute disaster. We’re stuck here and seven hours without a single update is inexcusable.”

Emirates, Dubai’s flagship airline, posted on X on Wednesday night: “Customers should expect delays with departures and arrivals” and that while some passengers had been able to get to their destinations “we are aware that many are still waiting to get on flights”.

The airline cancelled all check-ins and announced that it would continue to suspend services until Thursday morning, apologising for the disruptions. Those on FlyDubai, Emirates’ low-cost sister airline, also faced delays.

Dubai airport posted on X early on Thursday that flights had resumed from Terminal 1 but urged people to travel to the airport only if they had a confirmed booking, as flights continued to be “delayed and disrupted”.

Paul Griffiths, the airport’s CEO, acknowledged the issues with flooding on Wednesday. “It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don’t think anyone has ever seen conditions like it,” Griffiths told the state-owned talk radio station Dubai Eye.

Neighbouring countries were also hit by heavy rains earlier this week, including Oman, where 20 people have died, including 10 schoolchildren swept away in a vehicle with an adult.

Soldiers were deployed to badly affected areas of the sultanate, which rests on the eastern edge of the Arabian peninsula, to evacuate people trapped by flooding.

Schools will stay closed in Dubai until next week, authorities said, underscoring the difficulty of the clean-up.

In an unusual direct intervention, the UAE president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ordered “authorities to quickly work on studying the condition of infrastructure throughout the UAE and to limit the damage caused”, official media said.

The president also gave orders for affected families to be transferred to safe locations, said a statement carried by the WAM news agency.

Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, wrote on X about “efforts being made by teams of citizens and residents that continue day and night” as the city’s media office posted video overlayed with dramatic music of officials conferring in groups and water pumping appearing to take place in the background.

Photos too were posted of what it said showed water flooding into desert areas.

صور من جريان الأودية في صحراء القدرة في #دبي pic.twitter.com/pyXP8OpBVF — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 17, 2024

Similar scenes were visible around the Gulf state including in Sharjah, in neighbouring Dubai, where people waded through main streets and paddled around on makeshift boats.

At least one person was killed in the flooding. A 70-year-old man who was swept away in his car in Ras al-Khaimah, one of the country’s seven emirates, according to police.

The UAE government announced that remote working for most federal government employees had been extended into another day because of the impact.

Agence France-Presse, PA Media and Associated Press contributed to this report

• United Arab Emirates
• Middle East and north Africa
• Extreme weather
• Air transport

More on this story

Desert city of Dubai floods as heaviest rainfall in 75 years hits UAE

'I want to go home': passengers stranded by Dubai extreme floods – video

What the desert city of Dubai looks like after its biggest rainfall in 75 years – video

Weather tracker: Gulf braced for thunderstorms

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Formula 1 picks, odds, start time, grid: 2024 Chinese Grand Prix predictions, F1 bets from proven model

Sportsline's model analyzes max verstappen, lewis hamilton and the rest of the starting grid's chances at the f1 chinese gp 2024.

The 2024 Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday at 3 a.m. ET brings another opportunity for Red Bull Racing to separate itself from all other constructors in the F1 standings. Outside of the Australian GP, Red Bull has finished 1-2 in every race, with Max Verstappen having three wins and Sergio Perez notching three runners-up. However, the Chinese Grand Prix 2024 could provide a bit of a challenge as the two drivers have zero wins in a combined 14 starts at Shanghai International Circuit. As a team, Red Bull has two victories in China as this will be the first Chinese GP since 2019.

The team's two drivers are the biggest two favorites, per the 2024 Chinese GP odds. Verstappen tops the odds board at -450 (risk $450 to win $100), with Perez following at +1100. Ferrari occupies the next two spots with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerq both at +1200. Lando Norris comes in at +3300 while F1 legend Lewis Hamilton is at +5000. Before analyzing the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix starting grid and making any Formula 1 picks, be sure to check out the latest 2024 Chinese GP predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven projection model .

Developed by daily Fantasy pro and SportsLine predictive data engineer Mike McClure, this proprietary Formula 1 prediction model simulates every race 10,000 times, taking into account factors such as track history and recent results. It's had a strong history of success in motorsports, correctly predicting nine NASCAR winners since the 2021 season and its projected leaderboards have forecasted winners across multiple racing formats.

The model has been scorching hot when it comes to picking Formula 1 race events dating back to 2021. It nailed both of Charles Leclerc's wins in 2022, and at the 2021 Mexican Grand Prix, the model was strongly backing Verstappen as its top pick. The result: Verstappen dominated the field and ran away with a surprise victory. 

The model followed that up by calling Verstappen's win at the Rolex Emilia Romagna GP in April and then nailed his wins again in Belgium, the Netherlands, Japan, the United States, Mexico and Abu Dhabi. It also nailed all 19 of Verstappen's wins during the 2023 season and then called all three of the defending champion's wins to start the 2024 season. Anyone who followed the model's lead on those plays has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has dialed in on the 2024 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix and just released its coveted picks and leaderboard projections. You can head to SportsLine now to see the complete 2024 Chinese Grand Prix projected leaderboard.

Top 2024 Formula 1 Chinese GP predictions

One surprise: The model is fading Sainz, predicting he doesn't even make the podium even though he's one of the top favorites at +1200. You can understand Sainz' short odds as across his three starts this season, he has a victory and two third-place finishes. However, when you see his history at the Chinese GP, Sainz' odds then become an outlier as he's yet to realize any type of success at Shanghai International Circuit. His average finish across five previous starts is 10.4 and is coming off a career-worst 14th place at the track in his last start there in 2019.

Sainz has never made a podium in China as his best finish is just seventh place. His other three finishes at the track consist of a pair of ninth-place finishes and a 13th-place. Add in that his team in Ferrari has gone 0 for 12 in terms of victories over the last six Chinese Grands Prix, and it's hard to get excited about Sainz at this price point.  See who else the model is backing and fading at the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix right here .

How to make 2024 Chinese Grand Prix picks

Instead, the model is also targeting two drivers going off longer than 60-1 to make surprising surges up the leaderboard, including an epic triple-digit longshot. Anyone who backs them could hit it big. You can find out who they are, and see all of the model's F1 picks and predictions, at SportsLine .

So who wins the Chinese Grand Prix 2024, and which stunning longshots charge toward the front? Check out the latest 2024 F1 odds below, then visit SportsLine now to see the full projected 2024 Chinese Grand Prix leaderboard, all from the model that nailed all 19 of Verstappen's wins last season , and find out.

2024 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix odds, grid, contenders

See F1 Chinese Grand Prix picks at SportsLine .

Max Verstappen -450 Sergio Perez +1100 Carlos Sainz +1200 Charles Leclerc +1200 Lando Norris +3300 Lewis Hamilton +5000 George Russell +5000 Oscar Piastri +6600 Fernando Alonso +6600 Lance Stroll +30000 Yuki Tsunoda +50000 Alexander Albon +50000 Daniel Ricciardo +75000 Nico Hulkenberg +100000 Kevin Magnussen +100000 Pierre Gasly +100000 Valtteri Bottas +100000 Logan Sargeant +100000 Guanyu Zhou +100000 Esteban Ocon +100000

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Motorsports | Grand Prix of Long Beach: Newgarden unhappy…

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Motorsports

Motorsports | grand prix of long beach: newgarden unhappy with herta after being bumped, herta, who finished second, wasn't penalized, but offered an apology to newgarden after the race.

LONG BEACH — With Scott Dixon in the lead, and Josef Newgarden breathing down his neck at the end of the NTT IndyCar Series race at Sunday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the outcome was determined by a bump and run by Colton Herta.

Herta, running in third place, ran into the back of Newgarden’s car in the hairpin turn of the 1.97-mile street course with eight laps to go in the race. Herta moved up to second place. Newgarden dropped to fourth and fell out of contention.

Herta said after the race he misjudged the turn. Newgarden and Herta exchanged words and the blame fell squarely on Herta’s shoulders.

Newgarden was closing in fast on Dixon and was on pace to pass him as the race wound down. The contact with Herta cost him a chance to challenge Dixon for the lead, even though Newgarden said he wasn’t confident he could pass Dixon. But Newgarden would have liked the chance and he said Herta should have been penalized

“I’m not sure how lifting someone two feet in the air isn’t a penalty,” Newgarden said.

Herta admitted after the race he made a mistake.

“I wouldn’t be happy if it went down that way for me,” Herta said. “I apologized to him. He wasn’t happy.”

As for being penalized for running into Newgarden, Herta said, “It was borderline.”

He would be surprised if he was issued a drive-through penalty, but he would not have been surprised if he was forced behind Newgarden after making contact.

No penalty was issued and Newgarden lost two spots in the closing laps.

Newgarden, Herta and Dixon were in a group of drivers taking a different pit strategy than some of the other drivers in the field. After the first caution on lap 15, the race leaders pitted early, gambling that a late race caution would play in their favor with fuel and tire strategy.

Newgarden and Herta stayed out, valuing track position over fuel strategy.

When they pitted for the first time around lap 30, Dixon was in the lead, followed by Will Power and Kyle Kirkwood in third.

Newgarden took the lead after pit stops on lap 51 and had enough fuel to finish the race without stopping again. Dixon was in 10th and Herta was in second.

Herta pitted for the last time on lap 61 and Dixon took the lead. Newgarden and Dixon battled for the lead for the next 15 laps until Herta ran into Newgarden, who crossed the finish line in fourth place.

“It was a tough race,” Herta said. “Sometimes you need a little bit more than speed in IndyCar racing and we saw that today.”

It was the 13th podium finish of Herta’s career and his first since finishing second in Toronto in 2022. Herta won the Grand Prix of Long Beach race in 2021.

SRO GT America Series

CRP/Daskalos driver Jason Daskalos in a Mercedes AMG won the SRO3 class in the SRO GT America Series race for the second day in a row Sunday.

Lonestar Racing driver Dan Knox was a repeat winner as well in the GT2 race in a Mercedes AMG. He was also the pole winner in the GT2 race.

Rotek Racing driver Isaac Sherman won the GT4 race in a Porsche 718 Cayman for the second straight day too.

Historic Indy Car Challenge

Tim DeSilva of Rancho Palos Verdes won the Historic Indy Car Challenge race in a 1995 Lola T9500 for the second day in a row. After the race, he talked about coming to the Grand Prix of Long Beach as a kid with his father. He never thought that one day he would be racing in it.

“This event is special to me because I grew up 20 minutes away as a kid,” he said.

Stefan Johansson from New York in a 1981 Eagle was third.

The Swedish-born driver raced in Formula One and the CART series. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1997 and was the CART Rookie of the Year in 1992.

“The whole experience has been phenomenal, really,” Johansson said. “It’s been fun. The experience has been really amazing.”

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