Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
CHAOS In Greece With SP Automotive Responding To Vaporware Accusations From “Haters”
A few days ago, Greek company SP Automotive proudly announced what they called the world’s very first “ultra car,” also known as the Chaos. With 0-60 mph times under two seconds and an alleged power output of 3,065HP, it was no surprise that people started questioning the legitimacy of the project and the company behind it. So far, SP Automotive has only released CGI renderings and questionable social media posts of their work, with real-life evidence yet to be shown. After much speculation, the company decided to reply to the comments, calling their critics “haters.” But perhaps this approach is not the best way to convince someone to purchase your $14m creation.
Hyundai Teases SEVEN Concept That Will Lead To 2024 Ioniq 7 Full-Size Electric SUV
Hyundai is heading towards their goal of electrification, and their latest concept, named SEVEN, will premiere at the AutoMobility LA show on the 17th of November as an example of their efforts. SEVEN will serve as a foretaste for the production of their upcoming electric SUV, Ioniq 7, which is anticipated to arrive in the market at the beginning of 2024. The Ioniq 7 will reportedly be offered in a 6-7 seat configuration and is said to grasp a very futuristic concept in terms of design. Hyundai has already confirmed that the 7 will use their SK Innovation batteries with a 100kWh capacity, which should, in theory, give the 7 well over 300 miles (483km) of range.
Chevrolet Debuts Corvette Z06 At SEMA Alongside The Beast And Hot Rod Magazine’s Project X
Chevrolet’s much anticipated C8 Corvette Z06 has made its public debut at the SEMA Show. Both coupe and convertible versions of the Z06 are currently on display at SEMA alongside their Silverado-based 650HP off-roader known as ‘The Beast’ and an electrified 1957 Chevy by Hot Rod Magazine titled ‘Project X.’
MINI Teases New 2023 Hatch, Confirms Next Countryman And EV Crossover
MINI has shown their enthusiasm to get on the electric bandwagon as they confirm three new models said to debut in coming years before they switch to a pure EV brand sometime after 2030. Mini enthusiasts will be excited to see the new-generation MINI-Hatch and a successor to the Countryman in 2023, with a fully electric Crossover to follow soon after. Official photos of the camouflaged examples show the new MINI staying true to its classic, three-door design and will be offered with either an ICE or BEV powertrain. The crossover is said to come out of their “newly constructed automobile plant” in China and will be offered as a smart electric crossover.
Facelifted BMW X7 And Alpina XB7 Are Bound To Make A Statement
The upcoming facelifted X7 and Alpina XB7 have been spotted during recent testing in Europe; Both models seem to have inherited the same design updates, although the Alpina XB7 will be offered as a more expensive, high-end, and higher-performance rendition. The most apparent update to the exterior design of the X7 and XB7 is the split headlight design that seems to be a trend among many automakers lately. The rear end design seems to be fairly minimal, with revised taillights and LED light signatures. However, the X7 is expected to be offered in a variety of powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid, while the XB7 will most likely retain its 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8.
VW will expand its electric offerings by introducing its latest electric SUV, the ID.5, to the European market. The ID.5 will adopt a sporty, coupe-like design similar to that of its sister models, the Audi Q4 e-Tron Sportback and the Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV. While the ID.5 receives exterior tweaks compared to the ID.4 to make it sleeker, the interior remains almost entirely unchanged. The ID.5 will also be offered in a punchier GTX variant with a total power output of 295hp.
Belgian Family Escape Injury After Car Falls Off From Opening Bridge
A young family in Belgium escaped catastrophic injuries when their vehicle got stuck on Marie Thumas Bridge in Leuven, Belgium, on the 27th of October as it opened for a ship to pass through. Video footage shows the family’s red hatchback struggling to maintain traction as the bridge opened before sliding down and rolling over onto its roof. The local fire brigade freed the couple and their one-year-old child before rushing them to Gasthuisberg hospital. Luckily, nobody received any severe injuries.
What Else Is Making The News
Facebook Hits Name Change Snag
Facebook announced last week that they were changing their corporate name to Meta. Now though, it seems they may have hit a snag as a computer company recently filed a trademark for the title, reports TMZ. The trademark holder, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, said they’d consider giving up the name for $20 million.
Squid Game-Based Cryptocurrency Looks To Be A Massive Scam
Digital token, Squid, has collapsed, losing all of its value as it looks to have been a scam all along. The BBC reports that the cryptocurrency creators, which was inspired by the Netflix show, Squid Game, appear to have made off with an estimated $3.38m.