Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
Apple Reportedly Accelerating Car Development, Wants Model To Be Fully Autonomous
Rumors that Apple is dabbling in vehicle manufacturing have been lingering for years, but as yet, there’s been no official word that the company will enter the automotive industry. According to Bloomberg, however, Apple is looking to accelerate the development of vehicles and is focused on introducing fully autonomous technology. They report that Apple is looking at two possibilities for their car; the first is the idea to have limited self-driving capabilities. The other is a level 4 or level 5 system that does not require human intervention.
2022 Genesis Electrified GV70 Has 482 HP And 800-Volt Charging Technology
Genesis has taken off the covers to the 2022 Electrified GV70 at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China. The GV70 gets a pair of electric motors to deliver a combined 482 hp (360 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque in Boost Mode, enough to send the SUV to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds. There’s no word on the specifics of the battery pack, but the new car will use the same 400V/800V multi-rapid charging technology as other models in the Hyundai family. Just 18 minutes are needed to charge the battery from 10 percent to 80 percent when plugged into a 350 kW rapid charger. The Electrified GV70 can travel a claimed 400 km per charge on the Korean testing cycle.
Alpha Saga Electric Sedan Debuts With 300 Mile Range And Optional All-Wheel Drive
California-based EV manufacturer Alpha Motor Corporation has debuted Saga: an electric sedan with a retro design and an 85kWh battery with a range of 300 miles (482 km). The Saga is essentially a sedan variant of the Saga Ace Coupe and is roughly the same size as the BMW 3-Series. Its exact performance figures aren’t out yet, but a performance variant of the sedan is said to be currently under development in partnership with Rotiform. The Alpha Saga will start somewhere between $40,000–$50,000, although its release date is yet to be confirmed.
EdisonFuture Arrives In LA With Electric Truck And Delivery Van Promising Up To 450 Miles Of Range
Startup EdisonFuture came all guns blazing at the LA Auto Show with their quirky new EF1-T pickup truck and EF1-V delivery van. The pickup truck, in particular, was eye-catching, with its futuristic design and retractable solar panel sitting over the 6.5- or 8-foot bed. The interior is equally impressive, with a 17.5-inch infotainment system and six-seater configuration. EdisonFuture said that both vehicles would be offered in three different configurations, with the range-topping tri-motor super variant having a range of 450 miles (724 km).
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Drops Carbon Fiber Handling Package For 2022
Ford has announced that their 2022 Mustang Shelby GT500 will not be available with the Carbon Fiber Handling Package introduced last year. A Ford spokesperson told CarScoops that the $10,000 package was only ever intended for the 2021 model year. Still, the good news is that the 2022 GT500 will come in eight new colors and five new appearance packages, one being a very special Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition designed to pay tribute to the original 1967 GT500.
Maserati Mike And 7 More Excruciating Examples Of Awkward Unintended PR
Maserati may have had a bit of a PR shocker thanks to an armed protestor who donned the brands’ name. The man, who called himself “Maserati Mike,” drove off in a rather battered Quattroporte after being present outside the courthouse where the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse was taking place. But it’s not the only time when car companies have got some unintended negative PR — So here are seven times when things didn’t go quite the plan.
U.S. Drops Fatal 2020 Tesla Crash Probe Because Driver Overrode Autopilot
The U.S National Transport Safety Board concluded an investigation regarding a fatal car crash involving a Tesla Model 3 that took place in Saratoga, California, last year. The unfortunate incident killed a 75-year-old man behind the wheel of the Model 3 along with his wife and injured five others. The NTSB stated that the investigation was conducted to study the safety of automated vehicles but closed the case with information that the driver was responsible for sending the Model 3 into override mode, which is what caused the collision.
What Else Is Making The News
The Rock Wants To Play James Bond
While others have tipped Idris Elba or Henry Cavil to take over from Daniel Craig as the next 007, a somewhat unlikely candidate has thrown his hat in the ring. Speaking to Esquire, the WWE wrestler turned movie star, Dwayne Johnson, told the publication that his grandfather (briefly) played a bond villain. Now Johnson wants to go even further, saying, “I would like to follow in his footsteps and be the next Bond. I don’t want to be a villain. You gotta be Bond.”
JP Morgan Sues Tesla For $162 Million
JP Morgan Chase is suing Tesla for $162m over tweets from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The tweets in question concern Musk saying that he could take the electric car maker private back in 2018. It is reported that the bank says that it had signed an agreement in 2014 that allowed the bank to buy Tesla shares at a set price and date. The tweets caused volatility in the share price, which JP Morgan says required, according to the agreement, Tesla to hand over shares of its stock or cash.