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

New Car Sales Tumble By Over 20% In EU But Some Automakers Came Out On Top

New car registrations slumped by over 20 percent across the European Union in April, in what was one of the worst months since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Companies including Stellantis, Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz recorded a decline in sales between 20–30 percent. However, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Honda were all able to increase their units in the same period.

2023 BMW M4 CSL Is A Track-Inspired, Carbon Fiber Clad Rocket Ship Starting At $139,900

Add CSL to any BMW, and you know the model means business. The third production BMW to don those three letters, the M4 CSL shaves a not insubstantial 240 lbs (109 kg) over the standard car, and brings with it a 40 hp (41 PS / 30 kW) bump over the M4 Competition, for an output of 543 hp (550 PS / 411 kW), and 479 lb-ft (649 Nm) of torque. Trick additions include a carbon-fiber roof, hood, and trunk lid, while the rear seats have been ditched, and a scalpal has been taken to other parts such as the grille. Limited to just 1,000 units globally, pricing starts at $139,900 plus a $995 destination charge.

Mercedes Vision AMG Concept Previews Porsche Taycan Electric Sedan Rival Coming In 2025

Mercedes has introduced a new Vision AMG concept that previews an all-new electric sedan, with a production version expected to arrive sometime in the future. Expect the series version to look toned-down in comparison to this concept. The Vision AMG is 5,100mm (200.7 inches) long, making it lengthier than both a Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door and the Porsche Taycan. While it shares visual similarities with the Vision EQXX, this car will likely prioritize downforce over slipperiness.

2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R Is Getting The 5.2L Supercharged Predator V8

It seems that the Predator V8 will be the powerplant of choice for the upcoming Ford F-150 Raptor R. Many reports have indicated that the Blue Oval was going to put some kind of V8 under the hood, but according to two leaked images from Instagram user Raptor Connection, an official build rotation sheet shows the 5.2-liter V8. The Predator V8 makes 760 hp in the Shelby GT500 Mustang — which means that Raptor R could launch with more horsepower than the supercharged V8 in the RAM 1500 TRX.

2023 Cadillac Lyriq ‘Sold Out,’ 2024 Model Set To Arrive Next Spring

Orders for the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq appear to have closed less than a day after opening. A note on the company’s website reveals that “2023 Lyriq pre-orders are now full,” but would-be customers can still sign up for a spot on the pre-order waitlist. This means they could potentially snag a 2023 Lyriq if one becomes available, but if not, they’ll be first in line to pre-order the 2024 model. It comes as no real surprise after the Lyriq Debut Edition sold out in minutes.

SsangYong Teases Torres SUV, Confirms EV Variant For Europe

Despite the regular ringing of the death knell for the Korean brand, SsangYong continues to act as if it isn’t going into receivership. The company released a new set of sketches that show the Torres, previously known as the J100 project. SsangYong will start taking pre-orders for the Torres this June, starting from the Korean market. A fully electric version of the SUV, codenamed U100, will be introduced in Europe towards the end of 2023.

$143 Million Mercedes 300 SLR ‘Uhlenhaut Coupe’ Becomes Most Valuable Car Ever Shattering Ferrari Record

A new record for the most valuable car ever has been set by the sale of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe. It’s one of just two original examples and was sold by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Collection. With the help of RM Sotheby’s, it was sold to an unnamed private collector who was represented by British expert Simon Kidston. The final sale price smashed the previous $48.4 million set by a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by a staggering $94.5 million, with the buyer forking out €135 million or nearly US$142.9 million. Mercedes said that the money from the sale would go toward a charity fund.

What Else Is Making The News

SpaceX Reported To Have Paid $250,000 To Cover Up Musk’s Sexual Misconduct 

According to a report from Business Insider, SpaceX reportedly paid a flight attendant $250,000 to silence her over claims that Elon Musk exposed himself and propositioned her for sex. The report’s source is a friend of the flight attendant, while the alleged victim has declined comment. Musk took to Twitter to state the accusation was “utterly untrue.”

PS5 Games Gets Accessibility Features

 

Sony showcased God of War Ragnorok. with over 60 adjustable settings to increase accessibility. Features include auto sprint, subtitle/caption size, and color, as well as a high contrast mode that’ll make characters more visible against backgrounds.