Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
Tesla Leaves Customers With Aftermarket Tow Hitches Without The Ability To Actually Tow Anything
A Tesla user in the UK has found out that his Model X can no longer activate “Tow Mode” because the tow hitch he fitted isn’t sold by Tesla. Scott Helme says that his tow bar was installed by a “reputable company,” but that doesn’t matter to Tesla, with the carmaker saying that activating tow mode would be a liability for them. Making matters worse, Tesla’s own tow-hitch is out of stock, and the company is unsure when it will return. We’ve reached out to Tesla regarding this incident and will update this story if we hear back.
Rugged 2023 Ford Transit Trail Takes Van Life Off The Grid
If you’re young, wild, and popular on Instagram, then the #VanLife has probably called to you at some point. Now, thanks to the 2023 Transit Trail, those aspirations can be taken off the beaten track. The Transit Trail for the US features all-wheel drive, wider wheel arches, lifted suspension, an unpainted bumper, and a new Trail-specific skid plate. The new 16-inch wheels are shod in grippy 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse all-terrain tires, while the back is ready to be made into your very own home away from home.
2023 Jeep Avenger: First Look At The ICE-Powered Baby Jeep
The upcoming Jeep Avenger has been snapped sans any camouflage in ICE form, giving us our best look yet at what the new Europe-only SUV will look like. The car is immediately identifiable as a Jeep but has some unique features, such as heavily tinted headlights. Jeep is yet to announce the full specifications of the petrol Avenger, but we know that it’ll be sold with the 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine turbo that is common to many Stellantis models.
Subaru Teases All-New 2024 Subaru Impreza Ahead Of LA Auto Show Debut
Subaru has given us a teaser of its upcoming 2024 Impreza ahead of the car’s full reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Little was revealed about the new model, but Subaru did note that the fan-favorite Impreza will be introduced by professional rallycross driver and skateboarder, Bucky Lasek, and his daughter Paris during a special livestream.
China’s New Xpeng AeroHT Is An Actual Car That Flies
Flying cars have been nothing more than a flight of fantasy for most — but the Xpeng AeroHT is one concept that has so far delivered the goods during testing. The Chinese company has completed its first test flight for the latest version of its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) car. The new model now features a new “distributed multi-rotor configuration.” and has a dual-engine backup system to ensure increased safety.
Abarth 595 / 695 Range Gets Life Extension To 2023, Along With A New Orange Racing Color
Abarth will be killing off its ICE offerings in 2024, as it adopts an EV-only strategy, making the 2023 Abarth 595 / 695 range the last in its line. For the 2023MY the Abarths get a simplified three-step configuration process and a new Orange Racing shade to the color palette.
Citroen C5 Aircross Gains New 180 HP PHEV Option
The Citroen C5 Aircross has gained a new powertrain option, with a brand-new plug-in hybrid that combines a 1.6-liter engine with a single electric motor for 180 hp (134 kW/182 PS) and 265 lb-ft (360 Nm) of torque. The existing 225 e-EAT8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, meanwhile, has been improved for both the C5 Aircross SUV and the C5 X. Both will now get a longer EV driving range thanks to a new battery.
What Else Is Making The News
Candy Crush Saga Lights Up New York City Skyline
Over 500 drones flew over New Jersey in celebration of Candy Crush Saga’s 10th anniversary. The drones recreated elements from the mobile game’s play, with the event lasting around 10 minutes.
$2 Billion Spent On Virtual Land In Metaverse
Companies and individuals have spent close to $2 billion acquiring virtual land in various metaverse platforms during the past 12 months, reports BBC News. Researchers at metaverse analysts DappRadar say that $22m of that was spent on about 3,000 parcels of land in Voxels.