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

One Company Might Have The Solution To Front-Mounted License Plates And They’re Legal In California

With many reluctant to run front license plates, despite some US states requiring both front and rear identification, one company may have come up with a solution. License Plate Wraps has just been granted an extension on a pilot program that allows California state residents to use their product instead of a traditional plate. The product enables you to have a wrap of your license plate that is then applied straight to the front of your car.

2023 Dodge Hornet: Everything We Know About The Tonale Clonale, From Design To Powertrains

Badge engineering can be a risky business, with consumers rarely fooled by updated styling and new names — especially in the luxury space. But it’s a risk that Dodge is about to embark on with the upcoming 2023 Hornet. From the leaks and spy shots we’ve seen, the new crossover SUV is very obviously based on the Alfa Romeo Tonale. Our speculative illustrations show what the new “Clonale” will look like, with a front fascia reminiscent of the Charger SRT sedan and Durango SUV and a horizontal lighting signature to help emphasize width.

The Leapmotor C01 Is A Chinese EV With 542 HP And A $26,770 Pricetag

Leapmotor hasn’t had the easiest of journeys since its inception, but the C01 will hopefully rectify that. Even though there are no plans to bring it to the U.S., at just $26,770 for this 542 hp EV with a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) of just three seconds, it would be on par with vehicles that cost twice as much. Powering the C01 will be a 90 kWh battery pack with a maximum range of 717 km (445 miles), with production set for before the year’s end.

Ford Dealers Adding 50% Markups To F-150 Lightning While Dealers Completely Ignore GM President’s Warning To Stop Crazy Markups 

The Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum has a starting MSRP of about $91,000. But when it comes to dealer markups, one unscrupulous outfit is trying to get a buyer to put down $145,309 for the privilege. That’s a markup that is nearly 50 percent above MSRP. Another dealer is asking $133,854 for the electric pickup. In addition to that, we’ve found a Chevy dealership in Florida putting a $100,000 markup on the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, and another in California asking $201,524 for a non-Z06 2022 Corvette. Meanwhile, Geiselman Buick GMC in Springfield, Tennessee, told us that they had a Hummer EV Edition 1 and that they’re asking $285,000 for it. Its window sticker is also well below, with a grand total MSRP of $115,139.

Classic Drive: The Peugeot 205 GTi Reminds Us Why Perfection Isn’t Always The Answer

Modern hot hatches manage to offer a great compromise between satisfying daily drivers and remarkable tools for back-road calving. But that wasn’t always the case. In terms of modern machinery, their forefathers were far less adept at offering the kind of duality we’ve come to know and love. In the ’80s, you had to make a few compromises. But despite its flaws, the 205 GTi was one of the most loved pocket rockets from the era. And having spent the day behind the wheel of one, it’s not too hard to see why.

We Put The Phantom’s New Disc Wheels In The Entire Rolls-Royce Range

With the recently updated Rolls Royce Phantom came a new style of wheel. Said to be inspired by the designs of the ’20s, the 22-inch disc wheel option caught our hearts immediately. So we decided to explore how they’d look on other models within the Rolls Royce Range, with our independent illustrations portraying them on the sportier Ghost and the high-riding Cullinan.

What Else Is Making The News

Jeremy Clarkson Raises £16,000 For Local Swimming Pool 

An auction hosted by The Grand Tour star Jeremy Clarkson has raised £16,000 ($19,600) in aid of Chipping Norton lido, a community-run outdoor swimming pool. The lots included tractor driving lessons from Clarkson’s Farms’ Kaleb Cooper, a six-month supply of eggs, and a classic car experience, reports the BBC.

Sonos’ Alexa Competitor Will Be Voiced By Giancarlo Esposito 

Audio company Sonos has announced that their assistant feature will be voiced by Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian star Giancarlo Esposito. Sonos said that it will “expand the experience to new people and places” in the time ahead, as it enters a space dominated by Amazon Alexa, Google Assitant, and Apple Siri.