Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
GM To Buyout Buick Dealers Not Willing To Make EV Switch
Going electric may prove to be expensive for dealers across the U.S., which means some are reluctant to take the plunge, with Cadillac dealers required to spend an average of $200,000 for the switch last year. Now General Motors is offering to buy out any of its 2,000 Buick dealers unwilling to make the investment. While a buyout would mean the dealerships would no longer be able to sell Buicks, most dealers sell other GM-branded products such as GMC, meaning they wouldn’t have to shut up shop altogether. On the other side, at Chevrolet, dealers won’t be forced to make the switch, with the brand allowing them to continue selling ICE vehicles alone.
New Pagani Utopia Is 852-HP Of Manual-Shift Hypercar Heaven
The new 2023 Pagani Utopia is here to replace the Huyara, featuring a blend of new design and tech features, coupled with the elements that make Pagani an iconic supercar maker. The Utopia features a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 from Mercedes-AMG that develops 852-hp (864 PS) and 811 lb-ft (1,100 Nm) of torque all the way from 2,800-5,900 rpm. There’s a choice of manual or automated single-clutch transmissions and “semi-active” suspension. Meanwhile, this new hypercar complies with all global emissions regulations, which hopefully means North American sales are allowed following the demise of the Huyara on safety grounds.
2023 Lincoln Corsair Gains A New Face, Hands-Free Driving Tech And Bigger Screens
The 2023 Lincoln Corsair is here, with some minor exterior tweaks, interior additions, and revised options. The styling differences center on the car’s nose, featuring a more prominent grille, taller intakes, and a horizontal chrome bar. Inside there’s a new larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, while the center console has been revised, eliminating some of the physical controls and relegating them to the menus. The new ActiveGlide ADAS suite brings hands-free Lane Change Assist, Blind Sport Assist, and the improved Predictive Speed Assist. Finally, the Corsair drops the turbocharged 2.3-liter from the range.
VW ID.5 GTX Xcite Concept Debuts As A Mean And Green Electric Crossover
Following from the ID.XTREME Concept, ID.5 GTX Xcite is a new concept vehicle putting a radical spin on the ID range. Created by a team of 14 apprentices, the concept features 22-inch wheels, modified fenders, extended wheel arches, and an Alcantara and vegan leather mix on the Inside. To finish it off, the car features a combination of matte and gloss paint from the Lamborghini and Volkswagen ranges.
The Audi R8 Is Set To Transform Into An All-Electric Supercar
Audi’s electrification plans will likely mean that the successor to the R8 is likely to be an EV. That’s according to the latest reports, which predict that the brand’s halo model will appear in 2026, based on the SSP Sport Platform that Audi co-developed with Porsche. Speaking to Autocar, Audi Sport boss Sebastian Grams said he is pushing for an all-electric R8 successor but noted the car has yet to be confirmed for production.
2023 Peugeot E-308 And E-308 SW Are Sleek And Very Efficient
The 308 range has grown with the addition of all-electric versions of the 308 hatchback and 308 SW. The new electric models will have a range of over 400 km (248 miles) on a charge from a 54 kWh battery, while improvements to the aerodynamics further boost the all-important efficiency. Driving the wheels is an electric motor producing 156 hp and 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) of torque, while market availability and pricing will be confirmed at a later date.
What Else Is Making The News
Alex Albon Recovers From Surgery Complications
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Williams F1 driver Alex Albon was forced to sit out last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix due to appendicitis, being replaced by former Formula E champion Nyck de Vries. However, it turns out the procedure didn’t go as smoothly as planned, with Albon suffering unexpected post-operative anesthetic complications. However, the latest update from the team confirmed that the 26-year-old driver is on the mend, having been removed from mechanical ventilation, and is expected to head home soon.
Twitter Refutes Musk’s Latest Argument That Deal Is Invalid
Twitter has hit back at Elon Musk’s attempts to walk away from a deal to buy the company. A lawyer for Mr. Musk on Friday argued that Twitter’s roughly $7 million payment to a whistleblower gives the billionaire another avenue to walk away from the deal, reports The Wall Street Journal. However, Twitter maintains that it hasn’t breached any of its representations or obligations under the merger agreement.