Good morning and welcome to our weekly digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
Money Disagreements Now Making Audi-McLaren F1 Deal Unlikely, Report Claims
Audi may need to find another way to get into Formula 1. Earlier rumors had suggested that the German luxury carmaker was looking at buying McLaren. However, it now appears that the deal is off the table over a mismatch in price expectations. Earlier this week, VW CEO Herbert Diess confirmed that Audi and Porsche would be joining the F1 grid, despite some initial pushback from board members.
Mercedes And Will.I.Am’s “The Flip” Concept Is An AMG GT Wearing A G-Class Mask
“The Flip” is a collaboration between Mercedes-AMG and musician will.i.am. Although it features two long suicide doors, it’s actually based on the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. But it’s the nose that has got the majority talking, with the concept taking more than a bit of inspiration from Mercedes’ G-Class SUV. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz star has been incorporated into a new badge upfront that mimics a grumpy bear. The car was conceived to help disadvantaged communities access arts and science education.
One-Off Ferrari SP48 Unica Is So Forward-Looking It Doesn’t Have A Rear Window
Although the design has nods to the latest from Ferrari, such as the Roma and the 296 GTB, the SP48 Unica is based on the F8 Tributo. The one-off creation likely costs in the region of $2 million and shares its powertrain with the car it’s based on. No mechanical changes were noted, so that means it’s running a 710 hp (720 PS) twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8.
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!
Ferrari Boss Confirms V12 For Purosangue SUV, Says It Was The Only Proper Option
Fans of many cylinders can rest easy; Ferrari’s new CEO, Benedetto Vigna, has confirmed that the upcoming Purosangue SUV will have a V12. “We’ve tested several options, it was clear that the V12, for the performance and driving experience it could provide, was the right option for the market,” said Vigna. It remains to be seen if alternative powertrains will be launched to complement the V12.
2024 Kia EV9: Everything We Know About The Telluride-Sized Electric SUV
Following the success of the Niro EV and the EV6, Kia’s next all-electric reveal will be the EV9. You may recall that a concept was teased at last November’s Los Angeles Auto Show, and we’ve imagined, via our independent illustrations, what the production car will look like. The EV9 will retain much of the brutishness that was displayed with the concept and keeps Kia’s reimagined Tiger nose. The interior is expected to be lounge-like, while the SUV will have a range of around 300 miles (483 km).
Driven: The Fiat 500 RED Is A Charming And Easy-Going Urban EV
The 500 has been a cornerstone for Fiat since it was reintroduced in its modern iteration. And while the looks may seem similar to the one it replaced, the new car introduced in 2020 is solely available as an EV. We managed to get our hands on a 2022 Fiat 500 (RED), a special trim with its unique styling and pandemic-fighting features, including a special cabin filter and UV-C lamp in the glovebox to sanitize items. But the question is, can the EV be a match for the ICE car it replaced?
Natural Optical Illusion Forcing Drivers To Hit The Brakes Will Blow Your Mind
Here’s one that had us stumped until the reveal. A baffling optical illusion had one driver in the U.S. confused about how a pit inside a tunnel could have been left unmarked. The filming car is stopped before another following car also shows signs of trepidation. It turns out the hole was nothing more than a large puddle of water, but the way the light was reflected we can see why you’d have to do a double-take.
What Else Is Making The News
Lewis Hamilton And Sebastian Vettel Troll The FIA Ahead Of Miami GP
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If you’ve followed Formula 1 for some time, you’d know by now that controversy is never far away. The latest drama within the paddock is the FIA’s increased scrutiny towards drivers wearing jewelry in the cockpit and the type of underwear worn. While the FIA has clarified that their concerns are safety-related — particularly after Romain Grosjean’s fiery crash at the end of 2020 — Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel decided to make their own statements on Friday.
Gucci To Start Accepting Crypto
Gucci has announced that they will start accepting cryptocurrency payments in the U.S. Currencies supported include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Shiba Inu, Dogecoin, and Litecoin. Flagship stores including Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles and New York’s Wooster Street will be included in the rollout, reports the BBC.