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

Nissan To “Revitalize” NISMO Brand By Making It Go Electric

Nissan’s performance arm, Nismo, will be adapted to cater to an electric future. That’s the word from Nissan’s European chief, Guillaume Cartier, who made the comment while speaking to Top Gear. It makes sense, as Nissan’s future will rely heavily on electric power. In addition, the performance arms of BMW, Mercedes, and Audi are all working on electric variants of their own.

One-Off Ferrari SP48 Unica Is So Forward-Looking It Doesn’t Have A Rear Window

The V8 Ferrari SP48 Unica is the latest from the Italian stallion’s special projects department. The one-off supercar foregoes a rear window and is based upon the F8 Tributo. The styling, however, is bang up to date, with hints of 296 GTB and Roma. There’s no mention of any upgrades to the mechanicals of the SP48, so we assume it’s running the standard 710 hp (720 PS) twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8. One big difference, however, is the price. Whereas the car it was based on would have cost around $277,000 before it was axed earlier this year, the one-off SP48 Unica is likely to have been in the region of $2 million.

Mercedes And Will.I.Am’s “The Flip” Concept Is An AMG GT Wearing A G-Class Mask

Mercedes-AMG has revealed “The Flip,” a one-off collaboration with musician will.i.am. The covers were pulled off at the Miami Grand Prix, with the car conceived to help disadvantaged communities get access to arts and science education. It’s based on an AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, with the four doors being replaced by two single suicide doors on each side. The front end appears to be inspired by the Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV, with a squared-off jaw.

Money Disagreements Now Making Audi-McLaren F1 Deal Unlikely, Report Claims

While VW CEO Herbert Diess has confirmed that both Porsche and Audi are expected to enter Formula 1, it looks like the latter’s preferred entry route has been shut. Earlier rumors had suggested that Audi was looking at outright buying McLaren. Now it appears that the deal is off the table, though, with the German carmaker reportedly not offering enough money to McLaren.

We’re Driving The 2022 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate And The AT4X, Anything You Want To Know?

The GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate is the latest mouthful to tempt customers into forking out for more luxury and kit. The Ultimate tag signals a new pinnacle of their pickup truck range, and we’re going to get the chance to drive one. We’re also being treated to a drive of the new Sierra AT4X, which is meant to be more extreme than the regular AT4. It uses the same powertrain as the Denali Ultimate but adds a two-speed transfer case for better off-road performance. And, as always, we want you to let us know your questions before we get stuck in!

DS E Tense Performance Concept Thinks Future Cars Won’t Have Brakes

The DS E Tense Performance Concept eschews traditional braking systems for a regenerative-only solution. While regen braking has been around on hybrids and EVs for some time, it’s always been in addition to a traditional disc or drum brake set-up. But by switching to a completely regenerative system, the DS E Tense Performance has the potential to harness much more braking energy, which is great for efficiency.

Brazen Thieves Make Off With C8 Corvette And Other Cars From Illinois Dealership

A group of thieves in Schaumburg, Illinois, recently made off with a host of new vehicles from dealerships owned by the Ziegler Auto Group. Surveillance footage shows a hooded and masked thief gaining access to a red C8 Chevrolet Corvette under cover of darkness with a device used by locksmiths. The thief then casually drives off with the mid-engined supercar.

What Else Is Making The News

Drive To Survive Confirmed For Two More Seasons

Netflix’s hit documentary surrounding Formula 1 has been renewed for a fifth and sixth season. F1’s increasing popularity has been attributed to the show’s success, especially in the U.S., which saw record attendance for the Austin Grand Prix last year. However, some drivers have criticized the show for creating artificial drama, including the reigning driver’s world champion, Max Verstappen.

April Sets New Record For CO2 Levels In Human History

According to data from Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Observatory released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), carbon dioxide levels are at their highest ever. The monthly average CO2 levels are now above 420 parts per million, reports The Independent.