Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
GM Offers To Retrofit Missing Heated Seats In New Cars Once Parts Become Available
General Motors is offering to refit heated and ventilated seat functionality to cars that had to forgo the option, thanks to the chip shortage. GM suggested a tentative timeframe of mid-2022 in a memo sent to dealers. Although, if you choose to have the seat functions retrofitted, your discount will be $50, not the $500 offered if you had forgone the option.
2022 Ford Ranger Steps Onto Global Stage, Previews America’s Next Mid-Size Pickup
The new Ranger brings with it a bolder face, a larger bed, 360-degree lighting, and a much-needed update to the interior, with a high-tech cockpit. Cabin amenities include a 10.1- or 12-inch SYNC4 infotainment system with a dedicated off-road screen that allows owners to “monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch, and roll angles.” There’s also an integrated modem, while FordPass app functionality allows the truck to be started and unlocked remotely via a phone. Under the hood, there will be three turbodiesels and a 2.3-liter EcoBoost gas four-cylinder shared with the Mustang and Bronco. Production starts later this year, but the U.S. model most likely won’t be revealed until next year.
2023 Kia Niro Swaps Out Conservative Looks For A Quirky HabaNiro Outfit
Taking inspiration from the 2019 HabaNiro, the new Kia Niro was revealed at the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show. The 2023 Niro features an overhauled interior for the second generation, with an off-center dash angled towards the driver that includes a fully-digital instrument cluster and a prominent infotainment screen. Many recycled materials are utilized inside, while the new car will be available with hybrid-electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and pure-electric powertrains starting next year. A U.S. reveal is expected in the next few months.
New Buildings In The UK Will Be Required To Install EV Chargers
The UK government has announced that any new home or building will be required by law to install EV charge points from 2022. The regulations also extend to any supermarket, workplace, or other building that is undergoing significant renovations. The government anticipates that the law will see up to 145,000 charging points being installed per year, a massive boost as Britain only has about 25,000 charging points right now.
2022 Alpine A110 Gets Apple CarPlay And Optional Aero Ahead Of Brand’s EV Push
Ahead of Alpine’s EV push, their ICE-powered A110 two-seater has been shown some love, with a mild refresh. There are changes to the model’s nomenclature, but the most significant difference is the addition of an optional aero kit on the top-spec A110S. The add-ons comprise a carbon rear spoiler, a carbon front blade, and other lower-body devices designed to improve the efficiency of the rear diffuser. The new parts provide 60 kg (132 lb) of downforce at the front and 81 kg (179 lb) at the rear at top speed, which raises to 171 mph (275 km/h). The A110S also gets some tweaks to the chassis, including optional Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tires, 50 percent stiffer springs, recalibrated dampers, and anti-roll bars that are twice as stiff as before.
2023 BMW i7 Spied Testing Against Mercedes EQS, Tesla Model Y And XPeng P7
BMW has been spied testing its new i7 prototype — the electric 7-series — against the brand’s competitors. The most obvious and direct competitor, the Mercedes EQS, was unsurprisingly amongst them. However, other cars being studied included the Tesla Model Y and XPeng P7, the latter indicating how serious the Germans are taking their Chinese competition.
What Else Is Making The News
NFT Or Non-Fungible Token Is Collin’s Dictionary’s World Of the Year
With the abbreviation rising in usage some 11,000 percent in 2021, NFT or Non-Fungible Token has been selected as word of the year by Collins Dictionary. The term refers to certificates that say something is owned digitally, including the original versions of viral videos, memes, or even tweets.
Apple Digital Driving License Delayed Until 2022
Apple’s digital driving licenses that were announced in September will be delayed until sometime next year, as the company looks for “sole control” over how states rolled out the feature. When it goes online, it will allow residents in eight US states to store state IDs and driver’s licenses inside the Apple Wallet app on their iPhone.