Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…

BMW To Build Brand New “High-End” Model At South Carolina Plant And We All Know What It Is

BMW is hoping to build a new, high-end model for the U.S. market at its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant. Which model will it be? Well, considering it’ll come from the same factory that already manufactures the BMW X3, X4, X5, X6, and X7, it would be logical to assume it’ll be an X8. The coupe version of the X7 has already been seen testing at the Nurburging, with rumors suggesting that the X8 M performance variant could be powered by a twin-turbo V8 making as much as 750 hp (559 kW/760 PS).

2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe E Performance Coming To Munich With Over 805 HP

Suspicions that AMG was readying an even more powerful version of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe appear to have been confirmed. Earlier this year Mercedes-AMG confirmed a plug-in hybrid variant bearing the E Performance badge and now the company has teased the model on their Instagram page before an official unveiling takes place on September 1st at the IAA Mobility 2021. The new car’s powertrain will likely consist of the biturbo 4.4-liter V8 engine, a rear-mounted electric motor and a lightweight battery pack. Output could be as high as 805 hp (600 kW / 816 PS) and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque.

2023 Corvette Z06’s Timed Nurburgring Laps Spoiled By Tesla And BMW Crashes

Those hoping to brag about their Z06’s Nurburgring lap times are going to be in for a disappointment (at least for the time being), as crashes meant that all three 2022 Corvette Z06 test cars were unable to run during timed test sessions.

Toyota To Start Building Truck Fuel Cell Modules In Kentucky In 2023

Toyota has announced that it’ll start assembling fuel cell modules at its Kentucky plant in 2023. It’ll see a line dedicate to the assembly of dual fuel cell modules at the Georgetown site. What these fuel cells will go into is anyone’s guess right now, but a Toyota spokesperson confirmed that the fuel cell modules are “designed to fit in essentially the same space” as a similar diesel engine in a Class 8 semi-truck.

Waymo Launches New “Trusted Tester” Autonomous Taxi Service In San Francisco

A new program has been launched that allows the people of San Francisco to blag a free autonomous taxi ride. It’s done by Google’s self-driving subsidiary, Waymo, and is designed to garner feedback, from riders, for the company. Passengers will be picked up in an autonomous Jaguar I-Pace equipped with Waymo’s fifth-generation Driver AI, although all cars will have a driver behind the wheel in case of emergencies.

YouTuber Ordered To Pay $53,000 After Damaging Creek With His Ram 1500 TRX

Ouch. Viral videos are all well and good, they don’t always end well. Case in point: the case of the damaged creek. YouTuber Super Street 717 posted a video earlier this year, showing him jumping his TRX across a creek. The authorities were tipped off, and York County Court ordered the Youtuber to pay a $53,000 restitution to repair the damage to the creek. Ouch.

What Else Is Making The News

Own A Replica Of Jeff Bezo’s Rocket — For $69.99

You can now own a 1/66th size scale model of the Blue Origin New Shepard launch vehicle. The scale replica actually launches, and is reusable, floating back to earth with a parachute. It’s from long-time model maker Estes Industries and will set you back $69.99. Jokes on the back of a postcard.

World’s First Autonomous Zero-Emissions Ship Makes Maiden Voyage

The world’s first-ever crewless zero-emissions cargo ship will set sail from Norway, according to a report by CNN. It will use a 7MWh battery, which is about three thousand times the capacity of an electric car. It will be capable of carrying 103 containers and travel at a top speed of 13 knots.