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

Ford CEO Teases New Electric Pickup That Isn’t The F-150 Lightning

CEO of Ford, Jim Farley, has confirmed that a new electric pickup is in development. The new model will be separate from the F-150 Lightning. Speaking at the unveiling of the all-new Lightning pickup, Farley told the crowd, “We’re already pushing dirt down in Blue Oval City in Tennessee for another electric pickup truck that’s different than this one.” Ford offers the Ranger and Maverick pickups in ICE form, both of which could be prime candidates for EV versions. However, it could also be a completely new model altogether.

2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Will Make You Go Woof With Its Houndstooth Seats, Decals Not So Much

Fans of all things retro-inspired, rejoice: Porsche is bringing back the Sport Classic trim that first appeared on the 997-generation 911. Limited to 1,250 examples, the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic will be offered to U.S. customers for the first time, and will be the most powerful 911 available with a 7-speed manual gearbox. It features the same 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six featured on the 991 Turbo S but is detuned to output 542hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Visually, the Sport Classic features the wide hips of the 911 Turbo and adds a throwback ducktail spoiler, black-center Fuchs-style rims, gold-colored badges, and a carbon double-bubble roof.

BYD Seal EV Opens Up And Shows Its Interior As It Eyes Tesla’s Model 3

More details about the BYD Seal EV have been released, along with a new set of interior photos. The Seal EV will be gunning to pinch sales from the Tesla Model 3 in BYD’s home market of China. It’s slightly larger than the Tesla and comes with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 150 kW or 230 kW (201 or 308 hp). A flagship model features a dual-motor setup that combines a 160 kW (214 hp) motor at the front and a 230 kW (308 hp) motor at the rear allowing for 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.8 seconds. The Seal’s 800V battery will allow for a max driving range of between 550–700 km (342–435 miles), depending on the configuration.

‘Fast X’ Director Justin Lin Quits Days After Filming Starts, Will Remain As Producer

Movie director Justin Lin has announced he’s stepping back from the latest installment in the Fast & Furious franchise. Lin has been instrumental in the franchise’s success, having directed Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6, and F9. “With the support of Universal, I have made the difficult decision to step back as director of Fast X, while remaining with the project as a producer,” Lin said in a statement.” Shooting of the film is just a few days in, with Deadline reporting that some second unit production will continue, but the rest of the team will pause briefly while executives scramble to find a replacement.

Wiesmann Project Thunderball Is A €300,000 Electric Roadster With 671 Hp

Wiesmann is returning, with the announcement of the brand’s first-ever all-electric vehicle, dubbed Project Thunderball. Not much is known about the car’s chassis, with the brand best known for making retro-styled roadsters with BMW power. The body of the Thunderball is made entirely of carbon fiber, and power comes from two rear-mid-mounted electric motors. Combined, they produce 671 hp (500 kW / 680 PS) and 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft) of torque. The company is aiming for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration time of 2.9 seconds and an estimated range of 500 km (311 miles).

2023 Jaguar XE And XF Gain New 300 Sport Variants, Updated Tech

Jaguar’s 2023 model update for the XE and XF has landed and brings with it new 300 Sport variants and improved tech. The XE 300 Sport rides on 20-inch dark satin grey wheels with a diamond-turned finish, while the XF Saloon and Sportbrake have 20-inch wheels with a gloss silver finish that contrasts with gloss black inserts. Inside, drivers will find metal gearshift paddles and bright alloy pedals. They’re joined by Monogram Aluminum trim in the XE 300 Sport and Satin Charcoal Ash veneers in the XF 300 Sport. Both the 2023 XE and XF now come with Amazon Alexa, while the car’s navigation systems have been updated to allow for what3words navigation in a majority of markets.

Luckiest Driver In The World Survives Being Crushed Between Two Trucks

A driver of a Honda Fit was lucky to walk away from a wreck after his car was crushed between two trucks. We see the Honda stopped behind a cement mixer, with ample space left between it. Before long, a loaded truck comes barrelling up the rear, sandwiching the car. Despite crumbling like an empty can, the driver was left just enough space in the passenger cell, saving his life and allowing him to move around.

What Else Is Making The News

Lewis Hamilton Wins Battle To Chop Down Tree 

Formula 1 seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has won the right to chop down a sugarplum tree at his west London mansion. Residents had complained to the council that if Hamilton were allowed to cut down the tree, he would be “destroying nature,” reports Sky News.

Facebook Users Pick Up After Decline 

Meta reported an increase in daily Facebook users, although it still marks the slowest revenue growth of the company in a decade. Last year the social network reported its first-ever decline in users, leading to billions of dollars wiped off the company. With yesterday’s announcement, shares jumped by some 19 percent.