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

Toyota Invests $383 Million Into U.S. Four-Cylinder Engine Production

Toyota will invest $383 million in U.S. production facilities for new engines, with the wording suggesting that a new four-cylinder unit will be the focus. Toyota currently has a few four-cylinder engines in its stable, in 1.8, 2.0, and 2.5-liter displacement, not including the Subaru-built boxer four found in the GR86. The investment suggests that the Japanese brand is working on a new engine, but Toyota declined to offer any additional information.

2023 Ferrari 296 GTS Hybrid Is An 819-HP Tanning Machine

Ferrari has launched a new drop-top edition to the 296 range. The 2023 Ferrari 296 GTS Hybrid features a retractable hardtop that can be opened in 14 seconds and up to speeds of 28 mph (45 km/h). The headline specs are carried over from the fixed-roof GTB, including a V6 engine that can generate 654 hp (663 PS) combined with 165 hp of electric power for a total output of 819 hp (830 PS). Both the GTB and GTS share the same 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 2.9 seconds, but the roadster’s 0-124 mph (200 km/h) time is 0.3 seconds slower.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Looks Like The New All-Electric Luxury King Of Its Class

Not to be confused with the similarly-named EQS Sedan, the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV looks like it could be top of its class. Despite having somewhat drab styling, the EQS SUV gets all the tech of its sedan counterpart, including options such as the MBUX Hyperscreen, rear-seat entertainment, and advanced AI. The driving range is down on the EQS Sedan, with the SUV managing 373 miles (600 km) on the WLTP scale vs 479 miles (770 km) of the sedan.

QOTD: How Far Do You Typically Drive Each Day?

Range anxiety is one sticking point many of us just can’t seem to let go of when it comes to transitioning to electric cars. Most modern EVs can routinely cover distances greater than 200 miles (322 km) on a single charge and sometimes much farther. But some studies conclude that the average American only travels less than 30–40 miles (48–64 km) per day. So, we’re asking our readers how far they typically drive each day.

Audi Urbansphere Concept Is An Electric Minivan That’s Longer Than A Cadillac Escalade

The Urbansphere is the third and final vehicle to be introduced from the brand’s “Sphere” range, which has seen the Skysphere roadster, and the Grandsphere luxury sedan. The Urbansphere is essentially a luxurious take on an electric minivan and has been designed with the Chinese market in mind. Audi describes the concept as “a lounge on wheels and a mobile office, serving as a third living space during the time spent in traffic” while bragging that it has the most interior space of any of its models, helped both by its shape and the packaging of the EV platform.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Spied, Will Offer A High-Performance SS Variant

Teased earlier this year, our spies have caught the first images of Chevrolet’s new 2024 Blazer EV. The Blazer EV will ride on GM’s Ultium platform and, from what we can see here, will feature a rakish windscreen, muscular rear haunches, and aerodynamic wheels. Detailed specifications haven’t yet been released, but the brand has confirmed that there are plans to introduce a high-performance SS model.

Watch Cop Dodge Bullets And PIT Maneuver A New Jeep Grand Wagoneer

An Oklahoma State Trooper displayed exemplary car control and calmness while engaged in a high-speed pursuit of a suspected armed robber in a Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Despite coming under fire from the driver of the Jeep, officer Miller continued to engage in the pursuit, eventually using his much smaller Dodge Charger to complete a P.I.T maneuver.

What Else Is Making The News

Netflix Loses Subscribers For First Time In A Decade

Netflix subscriptions are down for the first time in a decade, with the streaming giant reporting that the number of people using the service fell by 200,000 in the first quarter of 2022. According to The Verge, Netflix estimates that while it has 222 million paying “households,” that the service is shared between 100 million more. Co-CEO Reed Hastings once again spoke to investors over plans to crack down on password sharing, including ways to monetize sharing.

Apple Staff Announce Plans For First Union At US Store

Workers at an Apple store in Grand Central Station, New York, have announced plans to form a union. Fruit Stand Worked United, as the collective is known by, has said that it wants a $30 minimum wage for all workers, and additional holiday time reports the BBC.