Good morning and welcome to our weekly digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
A German court has awarded a Tesla Model 3 owner €69,000 ($76,800) in compensation after deciding that the car’s optional autonomous driving technology didn’t live up to the marketing promise. The owner claimed that several functions didn’t work, including overtaking, traffic light recognition, and stop signs. The owner also likened the steering behavior at the entrances and exits of motorway intersections to that of a “drunk novice driver.”
2023 Toyota GR Corolla Is A Rally-Inspired Hatch With 300 HP, AWD And A Manual
Featuring a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder with 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque, the new GR Corolla is a rally-inspired statement of intent from Toyota’s Gazoo Racing performance division. It’s also coming to the U.S., unlike its cousin, the much-loved GR Yaris. The GR Corolla will only be available with a six-speed manual connected to an all-wheel drive system that can change the torque split sent to the front and rear axles on the fly. As expected, the chassis and suspension have received the GR treatment too, and the car rides on 18-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
All-Electric 2024 Lotus Eletre Is A Cayenne-Sized SUV With 600+ HP
Lotus unveiled their first-ever fully electric production car this week, with 592 hp in its base spec and a range of up to 373 miles (600 km). It will be available in the UK, Europe, and China from 2023, with a U.S. launch expected the year after. The Eletre is also the first Lotus to be produced in China, alongside two more “lifestyle EVs” coming in the next few years, while sportscar production will remain in the UK.
488 HP Alpina B4 Is Next Best Thing To The M4 Gran Coupe BMW Won’t Build
Alpina’s B4 is the closest we’ll get to an M4 Gran Coupe, but it retains the key aspects of what makes an Alpina loved — muscular styling, M-rivaling performance, and the retention of comfort. It’s also the first Alpina to be revealed since BMW’s acquisition of the tuning house. The B4 features a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six making 488 hp (495 PS) and 539 lb-ft (730 Nm) of torque. Power is channeled to both axles through an eight-speed gearbox. The four-door coupe will accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.7 seconds and go on to a top speed of 187 mph (301 km/h).
What’s The Best Four-Cylinder Engine Ever Made?
While nothing can make up for the sound of a V12, or the torque of a V8, there have still been some cracking examples of great four-pot engines out there. According to J.D. Power, a four-cylinder engine was sitting under the hood of more than half of the cars sold in 2020. While it might be the sensible or economical choice in many applications, the likes of the Honda F20C found under the hood of the S2000, or the EcoBoost Ford Focus RS motor, are both proof that there are some excellent four-cylinders out there. But which is the greatest?
2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Everything We Know About The Next-Gen Luxury Sedan And Wagon
The next E-Class could very well be the last ICE-powered version of the popular mid-size sedan that has been a staple of the Mercedes lineup for decades. Despite the existence of the fully-electric EQE, the E-Class will remain for one more generation, with our speculative renderings by Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien showing what can be expected. It’ll be an evolution rather than a revolution for the exterior design, while several features from the latest S-Class, including the interior layout, are likely to trickle down.
590-Mile 1995 Nissan 240SX Pulled From BaT Auction After Web Sleuths Uncover Shady Past
This 1995 Nissan 240 SX initially had people interested in its supposed low mileage (590 miles / 950 km) and pristine condition. However, those online began to question why the car’s underside looked strangely weathered for a vehicle that had done so few miles. Marque experts also watching the bidding uncovered a long list of red flags that go way beyond some surprisingly scruffy suspension and chassis components. As concerns rose, BaT eventually yanked the listing with bids at $19,000. One viewer recalled the car being offered two years earlier, with the caveat that the car had received “minor damage in transit,” before being fixed. More red flags included a lack of fender liners, radiator core support, and no badges on the front and rear.
Review: The 2023 Mazda CX-50 Is A Gateway To The Great Outdoors
We got behind the wheel of the new Mazda CX-50 SUV, which has been designed with the North American market in mind. We found it to be a triumph of interior design, despite some quibbles with the front seats. Mazda has succeeded in making the CX-50 an excellent crossover to drive on the road but things don’t fall apart when the pavement stops, which is probably the biggest surprise.
What Else Is Making The News
Will Smith Resigns From Academy Over Slap
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, you’ll know that one big story from this week was Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars. The altercation was provoked by a joke directed at Smith’s wife, Jada. Smith has since released an apology and has now announced that he is resigning from the Academy.
Dyson Reveal Noise Cancelling Air Purifying Headphones
Dyson’s “Zone” is a set of headphones that includes a portable air purifying device. Dyson says that the headphones have been under development for the past six years, pre-dating the COVID-19 outbreak, but may be perfect for those looking to isolate themselves from the world around them. Pricing and availability will be announced later this year.