Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
Japanese Vehicle Manufacturers Hatch A Plan To Save The Internal Combustion Engine
For those of us who fear the demise of ICE-powered vehicles, all hope isn’t lost. Leading Japanese manufacturers Toyota, Subaru, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Mazda have pledged to work together to find alternative fuels that will sustain the use of internal combustion engines. The companies made a joint announcement at the Super Taikyu Race in Okayama. The initiative behind this collaboration is threefold- to partake in racing using carbon-neutral fuels, for Yamaha and Kawaski to explore the use of hydrogen engines for certain vehicles in their lineup, and to continue using hydrogen-powered vehicles in motorsport.
2022 Porsche 718 GT4 RS Unveiled As The Most Extreme Cayman Ever
Porsche went all in at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show when they pulled the covers off the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Compared to its already capable sibling, the GT4, this car is an absolute weapon, making it around the Nurburgring 23.6 seconds faster. Porsche has managed to get GT4 RS’ naturally aspirated flat-six to rev up to 9000rpm and produce a menacing 493hp, just 10hp short of the 911 GT3. The GT4 RS is also available exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission and a completely track-focused suspension setting. Visually, this car is immediately distinguishable from the regular GT4, with aerodynamically focused design upgrades that allow for 25% more downforce along with some serious consideration given for weight reduction.
Dodge “Jailbreak” Package Springs New Color Combos, Bumps 2022 Hellcat Redeye Widebodies To 807 HP
Dodge has commenced its ‘Never Lift’ campaign that would see the company produce a new product every three months for the next two years, and they start aggressively with the all ‘Jailbreak’ option that will be available for the 2022 Charger and Challenger Hellcat Redeye Widebodies. The new trim will give owners a slight bump in power, pushing the supercharged V8 from 797hp to 807hp, but the selling point of the $995 package is to allow buyers to personalize their vehicles by giving them access to opt for previously restricted trim combinations in more than 20 different classifications.
Car Destination Charges Surge To Record Levels As Sticker Prices Soar
U.S vehicle prices hit an all-time high as destination fees have increased by amounts previously unseen. According to Edmunds, the average destination fee has increased by as much as 12% since the 2017 model year, with companies like Jeep now slapping on a $2000 destination charge on the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. While J.D Power vice president of data and analytics Tyson Jomini said that this shouldn’t be an area for carmakers to make “hidden profits”, Jeep dealer Steve Wolf told Auto News that the charges rarely impact a sale.
This Is The New 2022 Mazda CX-60 Two-Row SUV
A video that was taken during what seemed to be like a marketing campaign shoot has unofficially revealed the 2022 Mazda CX-60 two-row SUV. The incident took place just after the Japanese automakers unveiled the rugged CX-50, but images revealed that the CX-60 is very much a on-road intended vehicle. While the rear end of the SUV was not captured, we can see two front ends, a white example with a chrome-framed grille, and the other, a red one that maintains a blacked-out grille, which could be a sport trim. The CX-60 is part of Mazda’s plan to release a new line of SUVs for the U.S market in 2022/2023 and is expected to be joined later by the CX-70 and eventually the three-row CX-90.
Toyota Corolla 50 Million Edition For Japan Celebrates Model’s Historic Milestone
Toyota will celebrate a record milestone of its best-selling nameplate, the Corolla, by launching a new ’50 Million Edition’ in Japan. The auto manufacturer released the Corolla back in 1966, and now, sixty-five years later, the Corolla is still the best selling vehicle in their lineup, surpassing 50 million units sold. The special edition trim will be available across all platforms of the new Corolla and will include a variety of internal and external cosmetic improvements, as well as an interesting selection of colors. The ’50 Million Edition’ includes Toyota’s hybrid system, a 1.8L naturally aspirated engine coupled to an electric motor to produce 121hp. Estate and sedan model will also be offered with an AWD E-Four variant, but the Corolla Sport hatchback will keep its FWD drivetrain.
2022 Volkswagen T-Roc Comes With Tweaked Looks, Familiar Engines
Volkswagen has announced its updates to the T-Roc for the 2022 model year and will be extended across the entire model lineup, namely, the standard T-ROC, T-ROC Cabriolet as well as the range-topping T-ROC R. VW have focused their attention mostly on cosmetic upgrades, with revised head, fog and tail lights, tweaked front and rear bumpers and vertically stacked running daytime lights. Updates continue internally as well, with improved materials and safety features, but Volkswagen has chosen to move ahead with the same powertrain.
What Else Is Making The News
Amazon Driver Survives Train Slicing Van In Half
An Amazon driver is lucky to be alive after an Amtrak Train in Wisconsin sliced the van he was driving in half. It happened to be Alexander Evans’ 33rd birthday, as the van took a crossing that doesn’t have any signals or lights, with the track running parallel to the road before the junction.