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BMW M2 (Second Generation)

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 21:05:10 +0000

BMW M2 (2nd Generation)

The BMW M2 is a high-performance version of the BMW 2 Series automobile developed by BMW’s motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. As the 2 Series replaced the 1 Series coupé and convertible models, the first-generation M2 was marketed as the most basic M model in the range.

II Generation (G87)

The second-generation M2 (G87) was shown to the public at Motorclassica in Melbourne, Australia, in October 2022. The second-generation M2’s wheelbase is 2.1 in (53 mm) longer, its overall length is 4.1 in (100 mm) longer, and it is 1.3 in (33 mm) wider than that of the first-generation M2. The car was launched in April 2023.

The M2 is powered by the twin-turbo 3.0-liter BMW S58 straight-six engine, which was rated at launch at 454 HP (338 kW) at 6,250 rpm and 550 N⋅m (56.1 kg⋅m; 406 lb⋅ft) from 2,600 to 5,950 rpm. It is available with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. For the 2025 model year, the times are 4.2 seconds for manual models and 4.0 seconds for automatic models. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph) but can be raised to 285 km/h (177 mph) with the optional M Driver’s Package.

The BMW M2 received a minor refresh for the 2025 model year. The M2 received a 20 HP (15 kW) increase in power, to 473 HP (353 kW), and an increase in torque of 49 N⋅m (36.1 lb⋅ft) to 599 N⋅m (442 lb⋅ft), the same as the G82 M4, but this applies only to vehicles equipped with the eight-speed automatic. Minor interior updates include a flat-bottomed leather-wrapped steering wheel with a red center stripe and other minor differences. The M Sport seats have a new black-and-red option, and carbon-fiber bucket seats are now available as a standalone option or as part of the Carbon Package.

Characteristics

Manufacturer: BMW Motorsport GmbH

Assembly: San Luis Potosí (Mexico)

Years of production: 2023—

Length: 4580 mm

Width: 1887 mm

Height: 1403 mm

Engine: 6 cylinders; 2993 cc

Power: 454–523 HP

Max speed: 300 km/h

Fuel consumption: 10 l/100 km

Weight: 1699 kg

See also:

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Ferrari 812 Superfast

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2026 15:24:14 +0000

Ferrari 812 Superfast

The Ferrari 812 Superfast (Type F152M) is a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer produced by the Italian sports car maker Ferrari, which made its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. The 812 Superfast is the successor to the F12berlinetta.

Overview

The design is based on the F12berlinetta, with some new styling cues such as full LED headlamps, air vents on the hood, quad circular taillights, and a body-colored rear diffuser. The two-box, high-tail design of the car is intended to resemble that of the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, a Pininfarina design, even though the car was designed at the Ferrari Styling Center.

As part of Ferrari’s flagship model design, the 812 Superfast’s center control stack continues to lack the central infotainment display found in entry-level models such as the GTC4Lusso and Portofino, retaining only a small temperature display for the climate control system and splitting all vehicle status information displays among the driver’s multifunction instrument cluster, as well as the passenger-side touchscreen display above the glove compartment area.

The 812 Superfast has a 6,496 cc (6.5 L) F140 GA V12, an enlarged version of the 6.3-liter engine used in the F12berlinetta. It generates a power output of 789 HP (588 kW) at 8,500 rpm and 718 N⋅m (530 lb⋅ft) of torque at 7,000 rpm. Ferrari stated in 2018 that the 812 Superfast’s engine was, at the time, the most powerful naturally aspirated production car engine ever made. It does not feature turbocharging or hybrid technology. Cars built in 2019 or earlier were not fitted with gasoline particulate filters, whereas cars built in 2020 or later are fitted with this emissions device.

The 812 Superfast has 20-inch wheels at the front and rear. The tires are Pirelli P Zero sizes 275/35 ZR 20 for the front and 315/35 ZR 20 for the rear. The brakes are carbon-ceramic Brembo Extreme Design disc brakes, which Ferrari claims improve braking performance from 100 km/h to 0 km/h by 5.8% compared with the F12berlinetta. The brakes are borrowed from the LaFerrari, measuring 398 mm (15.7 in) in diameter at the front and 360 mm (14.2 in) at the rear.

The car uses a mix of active and passive aerodynamics to lower its drag coefficient compared with the F12berlinetta. The front of the car is designed to increase downforce and includes intakes for front brake cooling, as well as ducts to increase underbody airflow. The hood of the car also has air bypasses that channel air to the side of the car for additional downforce and aerodynamic efficiency. The rear diffuser of the 812 Superfast has active flaps that can open at high speeds to reduce drag.

Characteristics

Manufacturer: Ferrari S.p.A.

Assembly: Maranello (Italy)

Years of production: 2017—2024

Length: 4657 mm

Width: 1971 mm

Height: 1276 mm

Engine: 12 cylinders; 6496 cc

Power: 789 HP

Max speed: 340 km/h

Fuel consumption: 16 l/100 km

Weight: 1525 kg

See also:

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ČSD T 478.1: Czechoslovak diesel locomotive

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 18:47:29 +0000

Motorový rušeň radu 751

ZSSK T 478.1 “Bardotka” at the Bratislava Transport Museum (Bratislava, Slovakia)

The Class 751 (T 478.1 in the old ČSD numbering) is a four-axle, box-body diesel-electric locomotive with a Bo’Bo’ wheel arrangement and electric power transmission. ČKD built the locomotives from 1964 to 1971.

History

In the mid-1960s, a locomotive was needed to replace steam engines on passenger and light freight trains on non-electrified lines. When the project was assigned, it had not yet been decided whether to use electric or hydraulic power transmission, so two variants were planned: the T 478.1 with electric transmission and the T 478.2 with hydraulic transmission. Two prototypes were built in 1964 and entered trial service in 1965. The electric transmission proved itself, so development of the hydraulic version was stopped.

Rebuilds

The most significant rebuild was the conversion to Class 749, which affected only Czech Railways locomotives. The steam generator was removed and an alternator was installed to provide electric heating for passenger trains. In 1994–1995, Class 751 and Class 752 locomotives were rebuilt this way. The remaining Class 752 locomotives were renumbered as Class 751.3.

Characteristics

Manufacturer: Českomoravská Kolben Daněk (ČKD)

Country of origin: Czechoslovakia

Years of production: 1964—1971

Production: ±300 units

Length: 16,500 mm

Width: 2940 mm

Height: 4103 mm

Track gauge: 1435 mm

Power: 1102 kW (1478 HP)

Max. speed: 100 km/h

Traction force: 180 kN

See also:

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ČSD Series 850/851: Czechoslovak diesel railcar

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 18:31:37 +0000

ČSD Series 850 851

Motorové vozy 850 (M 286.0) “Hydra” at the Bratislava Transport Museum (Bratislava, Slovakia)

The 850 and 851 series diesel railcars were built in the 1960s at Vagónka Tatra Studénka (now Škoda Vagonka). Czechoslovak State Railways (ČSD) used them, first as the M 286.0 (later Class 850) and M 286.1 (later Class 851), to haul express and local trains, not only on the main non-electrified lines. In Slovakia they were retired by 2007, while Czech Railways (ČD) ran them until 2014.

Overview

These were large four-axle railcars with a self-supporting body of welded steel profiles, mounted on two bogies, one of which was powered. The Class 850 had a ČKD K 12 V 170 DR diesel engine producing 515 kW, while the Class 851 had an upgraded ČKD KS 12 V 170 DR engine producing 588 kW. Besides the new engine, the 851 differed from the 850 in its NK15 and NK18 axle gearboxes and its 3 DSK 75 compressor. Its appearance was also slightly changed by removing the small window in the luggage compartment.

The engines used in the 851 proved unreliable. In the early 1980s their output was permanently cut from 588 kW to 515 kW.

The interior was divided into a driver’s cab at the front, an engine room, a luggage area, an entrance area with a toilet, a large open passenger compartment, a second entrance area, and a rear driver’s cab. Both cabs had through passages, so the cars could be coupled to trailers.

Characteristics

Manufacturer: Vagónka Tatra Studénka (now Škoda Vagonka)

Years of production: 1962—1968

Production: 89 units

Length: 24,790 mm

Track gauge: 1435 mm

Passenger capacity: 108 (48 seats)

Power: 515–588 kW

Max. speed: 110 km/h

Weight: 50 t

See also:

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ČSD Class S 499.0: Czechoslovak electric locomotive

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 18:00:52 +0000

ČD 240 / ZSSK 240

S 499.040 (240.040.6) locomotive at the Bratislava Transport Museum (Bratislava, Slovakia)

The ČSD Class S 499.0 and S 499.1 are essentially ČSD Class S 489.0 locomotives with revised gearing for higher speeds and an added electrodynamic braking system. They operate on the 25 kV 50 Hz overhead electrification system in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Their design can be traced back to the S699.0 locomotives produced by Škoda in 1962. The S 499.0 had a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), while the S 499.1 reached 140 km/h (87 mph).

ČD’s cargo division (ČDC) operates the locomotives in the Czech Republic. In Slovakia, the fleet is shared almost equally between ZSSK’s passenger division and ZSCS, its cargo arm.

Characteristics

Manufacturer: Škoda Works

Years of production: 1966—1969

Production: 146 units

Length: 16,440 mm

Track gauge: 1435 mm

Power output: 3080 kW (4130 HP)

Max. speed: 140 km/h

Electric system: 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead lines

Weight: 85 t

See also:

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Škoda Superb (First Generation)

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 17:40:45 +0000

Škoda Superb (B5)

The Škoda Superb is a mid-size/compact executive car (D-segment) produced by the Czech automobile manufacturer Škoda Auto since 2001. It has been offered in four-door saloon, liftback and estate body styles, with the estate marketed as the Superb Combi.

The first-generation Škoda Superb (2001–2008) marked the brand’s return to the upper-mid-size segment. The second generation (2008–2015) introduced a more modern design and a Combi estate version. The third generation (2015–2023) brought a new platform and a plug-in hybrid variant in 2019. The fourth generation (2023–) features a more refined design and modern digital technologies.

The Superb name was historically used for Škoda cars produced between 1934 and 1949.

I Generation (Type 3U)

The first generation of the modern Škoda Superb was based on the 1999 Shanghai-Volkswagen Passat B5 LWB, which had a 10 cm (3.9 in) longer wheelbase than the standard Passat B5 and used the Volkswagen Group B5 PL45+ platform. In 2005, Shanghai-Volkswagen imported the Superb and rebadged it as the Volkswagen Passat Lingyu.

The Superb received a minor facelift in August 2006 incorporating Škoda’s new radiator grille, headlights, side turn-signal repeaters integrated into the door mirrors, and C-shaped taillights in the style of the Škoda Roomster and the second-generation Škoda Octavia.

Škoda considered a station wagon version of the Superb. However, it was never put into production, because Volkswagen feared that such a version would take too much market share from its own Passat Variant and the Audi A4 Avant.

Characteristics

Manufacturer: Škoda Auto a.s.

Assembly: Kvasiny (Czech Republic) / Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) / Solomonovo (Ukraine) / Ust-Kamenogorsk (Kazakhstan)

Years of production: 1996—2010

Length: 4803 mm

Width: 1765 mm

Height: 1449–1489 mm

Engine: 4 cylinders; 1781–2771 cc

Power: 99–190 HP

Max speed: ≤230 km/h

Fuel consumption: 6 l/100 km

Weight: 1387–1640 kg

See also:

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Andorra International Guitar Festival presents five concerts in November

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 15:52:07 +0000

ALL PYRENEES is the official media partner of the 9th Andorra International Guitar Festival.

The Andorra International Guitar Festival will host a series of concerts at various venues across the country in November. The ninth edition of the festival will feature international artists, local musicians, young talents, and initiatives aimed at increasing the visibility of women in the world of classical guitar.

The programme will open on 18 November at 8:30 pm with Danzas de Seducción, performed by Eduardo & Mateia Pascual Guitar Duo. The concert will take place at Red Bar, UNNIC, in Andorra la Vella. Admission is free with advance reservation.

On 19 November at 8:30 pm, the Teatre Comunal in Andorra la Vella will host La guitarra al món (The Guitar Around the World), featuring Slovak guitarist Adam Marec and the Montenegrin duo Srđan Bulatović & Darko Nikčević.

The following day, 20 November, the same venue will welcome Eugènia Correia, who will present her programme Arrels (Roots).

On 22 November at 5 pm, the Church of Sant Cerni in Canillo will host Entre cordes i versos (Between Strings and Verses), performed by Veu Silent. The group will present its latest album, Sons d’algun vers.

One of the highlights of the festival will be La guitarra en femení (The Guitar in Women’s Hands), scheduled for 27 November at 8:30 pm at the Guillemó Hall of the Andorra Park Hotel. The concert will feature Carmesí Guitar Duo, comprising Isabel Martínez and Paola Requena. The initiative aims to highlight the role of women in classical guitar, recognise the talent and achievements of female guitarists, and encourage greater female representation on concert stages.

The project is supported by the Government of Andorra’s Department of Equality, reinforcing its cultural and social significance.

The November programme will conclude on 28 November with De l’aula a l’escenari (From the Classroom to the Stage), also taking place at the Guillemó Hall of the Andorra Park Hotel.

At 5 pm, students from La Grandàlia music school will perform in a student recital. This will be followed at 7:30 pm by a concert featuring young musicians from the Higher School of Music of Catalonia (ESMUC), the Liceu Conservatory, the Andorra la Vella Music Conservatory, and La Grandàlia.

Admission to both events is free, subject to venue capacity.

The organisers are also planning a press conference to present the November programme on 11 November at 12 pm at the Andorra Park Hotel, pending final confirmation of the venue.

With its ninth edition, the Andorra International Guitar Festival continues to enrich the country’s cultural scene, bringing together musicians from different generations and countries, supporting emerging talent, and promoting greater recognition of women in classical music.

The full programme and ticket information are available at www.andorraguitarfest.com.

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Explore the Arête des Cosmiques at the Aiguille du Midi

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 15:04:45 +0000

The Arête des Cosmiques, located at the Aiguille du Midi, is one of the most iconic and photogenic mountaineering routes in the Mont Blanc massif. This narrow snow-and-ice ridge connects the upper station of the Aiguille du Midi cable car (3,842 m) with the Glacier du Tacul, the Vallée Blanche, and the Refuge des Cosmiques.

From the exit of the cable car tunnel, climbers descend along a spectacularly exposed ridge, which narrows to less than half a metre in places, with sheer drops of over 1,000 metres on either side. This section, approximately 400 metres long with a vertical drop of around 150 metres, is generally equipped with fixed ropes during the winter season. Nevertheless, it requires crampons, an ice axe, and experience travelling on glacial terrain.

The panoramic views from the ridge are breathtaking, taking in the Chamonix Valley, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit, and the majestic summit of Mont Blanc. Combining extraordinary scenery, dramatic exposure, and extreme altitude, it is one of the most photographed locations in the Alps.

Technical Information

Altitude: 3,842 m
Location: Mont Blanc massif, Chamonix, France
Access: Aiguille du Midi cable car from Chamonix
Difficulty: F (Facile – Easy) in technical terms
Recommended equipment: Crampons, ice axe, harness, rope, and helmet
Best season: June to September (Alpine summer)

Mountaineering Introduction at the Aiguille du Midi

Your first step towards the great peaks of the Mont Blanc massif.

Discover the thrill of mountaineering on the legendary Arête des Cosmiques at the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m), one of the most spectacular settings for taking your first steps into the world of high-altitude mountaineering.

Accompanied by an IFMGA-certified high mountain guide, you will enjoy a personalised experience tailored to your ability, experience, and expectations.

During this outing, you will learn the fundamentals of moving safely with crampons and a rope along a spectacular ridge featuring a combination of rock, ice, and snow. All this takes place in an extraordinary alpine setting, with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, Mont Blanc du Tacul, and the Chamonix Valley.

Whether you are looking for your first mountaineering experience or an opportunity to acclimatise before attempting more demanding ascents, this adventure offers an unforgettable introduction to the high mountains.

Safety, learning, and adventure in the heart of the Alps!

Activity Information

Location: Chamonix – Aiguille du Midi.

Duration: Half-day.

Ratio: 1 guide per 2 participants.

Includes: Certified guide, basic technical equipment, and pre-activity consultation.

Safety Note

Although the technical difficulty is classified as F (easy), the ridge features very narrow and exposed sections with significant drops. Mountaineering knowledge, appropriate equipment, and the presence of a professional guide are essential.

Xavi Bonatti Bonet

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Škoda Garde

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 13:49:45 +0000

Škoda Rapid/Garde

Red BAZ Škoda 743 Locusta at the Bratislava Transport Museum (Bratislava, Slovakia)

The Škoda Rapid (Garde) is a fastback coupé designed and built by AZNP in Czechoslovakia from 1981 to 1990. Based on the rear-engine Škoda 105/120/130 sedans, it was a replacement for the Škoda 110 R, which was built from 1970 to 1980. For the first few years, it was sold as the Škoda Garde in the Czechoslovak home market and in some export markets as well. The Rapid/Garde models are internally known as Type 743, with the later 135/136 Rapids referred to as Type 747.

The Rapid name was originally used on 1930s Škoda models, and was revived in 2011 on the Indian-market Rapid sedan, which was based on the Volkswagen Vento, and again in 2012 on a Rapid hatchback for the international market.

Overview

The Rapid used a unibody structure and a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The front suspension used double wishbones and coil springs. At the rear, there were semi-trailing arms and coil springs, a major upgrade from the swing axle of earlier Škodas, which gave safer and more predictable handling. Brakes were discs with four-pot calipers at the front, and drums at the rear.

The engine was a water-cooled, carbureted, OHV inline-four mounted longitudinally, slanted to the right and overhanging the rear axle. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a transaxle gearbox. Engine upgrades were introduced at the same time as the corresponding ones on the Type 742/746 sedans.

In the first years of production, the Rapid 120 used the same 1174 cc, 54 HP (40 kW) aluminum-block, cast-iron-head engine and four-speed gearbox as the initial model. These first series were built by BAZ in Bratislava, and production was gradually moved back to Škoda’s small Kvasiny plant. BAZ ended production in 1987, after building 3,280 Gardes and Rapids combined.

Characteristics

Manufacturer: BAZ Bratislava / AZNP (Škoda auto)

Assembly: Kvasiny / Bratislava (Czechoslovakia)

Years of production: 1981—1990

Length: 4200 mm

Width: 1610 mm

Height: 1380 mm

Engine: 4 cylinders; 1174–1289 cc

Power: 54–61 HP

Max speed: 150 km/h

Fuel consumption: 7 l/100 km

Weight: 855–915 kg

See also:

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BAZ MNA

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 13:00:41 +0000

BAZ MNA

Brown BAZ MNA 900 at the Bratislava Transport Museum (Bratislava, Slovakia)

The BAZ MNA was the internal designation for a project to build a small commercial vehicle (the name stands for “Malý Nákladný Automobil,” or small cargo vehicle) weighing up to 3.5 tons, developed by the VMV development department of BAZ (Bratislava Automobile Works) in the 1980s. It had two development stages, the MNA 900 and the MNA 1000, with the number indicating the payload in kilograms.

MNA 900

Several prototypes were built, at least one of them a 4×4, and they differed not only in body style but also in drivetrain and interior. One prototype was powered by the Škoda 781 OHV engine intended for the future Favorit, but its driving characteristics lagged well behind another prototype powered by the Lada 1500 engine.

By the mid-1980s, it was clear that AZNP could not afford, technically or financially, to start production of the new 780.15 engine. The outdated Favorit engine, which dated back to the Škoda 1000 MB, was too weak for a van with a 900 kg payload. This repeated the problem of the earlier M8 project, so BAZ looked abroad and, in 1988, it was reported that the MNA would continue in cooperation with the Soviet automaker AZLK. AZLK was building new engine plants and planned its own minivan, the Arbat, so a partnership with BAZ and its finished, modern van promised to benefit both sides. But the authorities pressed BAZ to supply parts for the Favorit rather than speed up MNA production, and the launch date kept slipping, eventually to early 1992.

MNA 1000

Despite the social and political changes that began at the end of 1989, work on the MNA continued. The prototypes were fitted with new AZLK engines driving the front wheels. They appeared in 1991 as a two-seat van and an eight-seat minibus.

Of the several factors that led to the end of PVÚ (VMV) BAZ and its MNA 1000 project, the most decisive was the sale of the parent plant in Devínska Nová Ves to Volkswagen. Unfortunately, the MNA did not fit into VW’s portfolio, because its new front-wheel-drive T4 van was just entering series production (1991). AZLK still tried to take over the project as the Moskvich 3733, but the social, political, and economic situation in Russia in the 1990s was not favorable. The MNA project at BAZ was finally stopped in 1992. According to available data, only 4 prototypes were built.

White BAZ MNA 1000

Characteristics

Manufacturer: Bratislavské Automobilové Závody (BAZ)

Assembly: Bratislava (Czechoslovakia)

Years of production: 1985—1992

Engine: 4 cylinders; 1580 cc

Power: 85 HP

Max speed: 130 km/h

Fuel consumption: 11 l/100 km

Weight: 1200 kg

See also:

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