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

Chip Shortage Strips BMWs Of Apple Carplay And Android Auto

The ongoing chip crisis means that some BMWs will be without Apple Carplay and Android Auto functionality. It’s because of a change in the supplier of certain chips, which haven’t yet been preloaded with the smartphone connectivity software. BMW promises that the updates will be applied over the year by the end of June. 

2023 Range Rover Sport Gets 523-HP BMW V8 Option And Off-Road Cruise Control; EV Coming In 2024

The all-new 2023 Range Rover Sport follows the same evolutionary design language as its bigger brother that was launched last year and also includes cues from the smaller Evoque. The most significant difference is found at the back, where the Sport houses its light clusters and “Range Rover” badging under one horizontal strip, with the license plate mounted some way below the unadorned trunk lid. Land Rover also announced that the new RR Sport will be the company’s first EV, with the fully-electric variant to come in 2024. Until then, the Range Rover Sport will be available with gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid options. The range includes a new BMW-derived 4.4-liter V8 and a choice of two PHEV powertrains that can take you up to 70 miles (113 km) on electric power.

Hertz Will Rent A 900 HP Mustang Shelby GT500-H For $399 A Day

After a teaser earlier in the week, Hertz has revealed its plans to once again offer a Ford Mustang specially tuned by Shelby American to customers in 11 cities around the U.S. And the 25 Shelby GT500-H fastbacks won’t be run-of-the-mill cars. Power has been inflated to 900 hp (671 kW/912 PS) from the standard Shelby GT500’s 760 hp (567 kW/770 PS). The Hertz cars will also gain forged aluminum monoblock wheels, performance-spec tires, tinted windows, Shelby GT500-H badges, side stripes, and a carbon fiber hood that cuts 30 lbs (14 kg) off the weight of the car. A less potent option in the form of the Shelby GT-H convertible and fastback will also be available, powered by a 5.0-liter V8 making 451 hp (336 kW/456 PS).

Driven: 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X and 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate

We got behind the wheel of both the 2022 GMC Sierra AT4X and the 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate. The former offers a more cosseting take on the existing AT4 trim and is meant to be the most premium off-road-focused truck that the brand has ever made — aside from the Hummer EV. The Denali Ultimate, on the other hand, wants to be the final word in luxury, with the added appeal of offering SuperCruise. How did we like these two new challengers in the pick-up segment? Read on to find out.

Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase Gets A 7-Inch Stretch And Climate Controlled Back Seats

Bentley has added a fifth model to its luxury lineup by introducing the new Bentayga Extended Wheelbase alongside the standard Bentayga SUV. The Bentayga Extended Wheelbase will fill the void left by the old Mulsanne. In addition to oodles of legroom, it brings with it a multitude of luxurious touches. This includes features such as climate-controlled seats that sense occupant temperature and surface humidity to control themselves and adjust heat or ventilation accordingly. The chairs also make tiny adjustments to reduce fatigue over long journeys. Meanwhile, there’s an optional Metal Overlay in Veneer finish for the interior trim, which comprises a strip of metal just 0.0028 in (0.07 mm) thick bonded by hand to the surface of the veneer before being lacquered and polished.

BMW iX1 Teased During Winter Testing With Dual Electric Motors

BMW has published pictures of the new iX1 prototype undergoing cold-weather testing in the Arctic Circle. The iX1 is a fully-electric version of the X1 and will sport a number of styling differences from its ICE cousin. BMW confirmed the debut of the X1 in autumn 2022, with the EV set to expand the range immediately after that. The iX1 is the third X-branded vehicle to get a fully electric powertrain following the larger iX3 and iX, which are already on sale.

What Else Is Making The News

Passenger With No Flying Experience Lands Plane 

A passenger who had no flying experience managed to successfully land a small plane in Florida after their pilot became “incoherent.” The single-engine Cessna 208 was landed with the assistance of an air traffic controller who talked the passenger through how to operate the plane.

Apple Officially Kills The iPod

After a run of 21 years, Apple has officially discontinued the iPod. The world’s best-selling MP3 player has been through numerous iterations over the year, while its final form — the iPod Touch, will be available for fans to buy until stocks run out.