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

Consumer Reports Updates Its Driver Assistance Scoring System, Leaves Tesla FSD Out In The Cold

The time for Consumer Reports to release its list of top picks for 2022 has come. This year’s judgments include a ranking for advanced driver monitoring systems. However, Tesla has been left off of the list. CR says that both General Motors’ SuperCruise technology and Ford’s BlueCruise are on a safer path to self-driving cars and are the only brands that will get a couple of extra points in their 2022 Top Picks results. In contrast, Tesla’s somewhat lax approach to driver monitoring has kept it off the list. 

2023 Toyota Sequoia Shows It Rear End, Debuts January 25th

Toyota has officially confirmed that the teaser it released on Monday is for the 2023 Toyota Sequoia. A debut date was also announced for January 25th, at 9:30 PM EST. Toyota is keeping details under wraps, but the latest teaser shows the model will have slender taillights connected by a thin metallic stripe. We can also see edgier styling and a black accent on the bumper.

Land Rover Defender 130 Breaks Cover Thanks To The Patent Office

Land Rover’s stretched Defender, the 130, has been revealed thanks to the patent office. As depicted in these sketches, the new car will have a much longer rear-end, with a larger rear overhang. Not great for off-roading, but it’ll be surely appreciated by anyone sitting in the third row.

IIHS Will Tackle Misuse Of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems With New Rating System

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that it is developing a new set of tests to deliver ratings it hopes will help address the issue of drivers becoming distracted while using partial automation systems like Autopilot and Super Cruise. It comes after several incidents involving drivers misusing systems, which have resulted in crashes. The system will issue safety ratings based on the measures that automakers install to safeguard against distracted driving.

Jeep Introduces New Renegade And Compass E-Hybrids In Europe

Jeep will be launching a fully electrified portfolio in a number of European markets, with e-Hybrid versions of the Compass and Renegade. The two small crossover SUVs, which are closely related to each other, will feature new turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engines coupled with a regenerative braking system and an electric motor that puts out 20 hp (15 kW / 20 PS). It’s enough to move the car at low speeds, such as those found in city-based stop-go traffic.

2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Roars To Life In First Teaser Video, Debuts Tomorrow

There’s really not a lot revealed in the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V trailer, but the performance version of their luxury SUV is about to break cover. Cadillac is keeping details under wraps, but the model is expected to use the same supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine as the CT5-V Blackwing.

Saleen Announces Electric Supercar While Looking For Investors

Saleen is looking for investors to bankroll “new and exciting visionary products, including an electric supercar.” Each investment will be a minimum of $500, with the aim to fund the American sports car maker’s next set of vehicles. But details are few, and their previous ambitious announcements, including an electric crossover and city car, have yet to see realization.

What Else Is Making The News

Meatloaf Dies At Age 74

Bat Out Of Hell singer Meatloaf has died as confirmed by the star’s Facebook page. The Dallas-born performer has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and is a Grammy Award winner. He was 74 years of age.

Superbowl Halftime Show Trailer Drops 

https://youtu.be/h3NhX6-5mO0

A trailer for the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show features icons of the 90s music scene, including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige. It features Eminem performing “Rap God,” Snoop Dog in his car, listening to “The Next Episode,” as well as Kendric Lamar’s “Humble.”