Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
Rampant Inflation Means BMW And Mercedes Only Guarantee Prices For Four Months
According to reports, BMW and Mercedes only guarantee the pricing on their new cars for four months, with rampant inflation being the reason. Inflation in Germany is currently around 10 percent, while in the US it’s more than eight percent. Having to fork out extra for a new car may not sit well with everyone, especially as delivery wait times could push customers out of the four-month window. While the report originated from Germany, we’ve asked BMW and Mercedes whether this applies to sales in the US too.
Zeekr 009 Is An Electric Luxury Minivan With 536 HP And 511 Miles Of Range
While SUVs and sedans may be the most common choice for those looking to travel in style, there’s no denying the benefits of back-seat passengers plumping for a minivan instead. The Zeekr 009 is the perfect example, featuring a six-seat interior with Nappa leather upholstery, fold-out tables, touch-sensitive controls, and a fancy audio system. This EV isn’t lacking in the power department either, with dual electric motors offering all-wheel-drive and producing a combined 536 hp (400 kW / 544 PS), for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 4.5 seconds.
Tesla Model 3 Found Floating In The Ocean Off Santa Barbara
Just off the beach in Santa Barbara, California, authorities found a white Tesla Model 3 halfway under the water. Raquel Zick, public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office told Carscoops, “We made sure that the vehicle wasn’t reported as stolen and notified the registered owner that it was their responsibility to have it recovered.” According to Zick, this situation wasn’t too far different from the Bronco we told you about during the summer which suffered a similar fate.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Caught Looking Bigger, Boxier And More…Land Rover-ish
Time is running out for the current generation of Hyundai Santa Fe, with its replacement spied undergoing early testing. From the silhouette, it’s instantly recognizable that the new car is taking a far boxier route, mimicking the design of the Land Rover Defender — at least with all that camouflage.
Optima’s Overlanding Rivian R1T And R1S Come With Trailers That Recharge The EVs
As capable as the Rivian R1T and R1S are, when you’re out in the bush, you can hardly plug into a tree to recharge. Which is why Optima has come up with a solution: Turtleback trailers with a lithium-ion battery pack to transform them into Optima Power Stations. These portable Level 2 chargers can also power a campsite and are enough to top up a Rivian from 0–80 percent.
Tesla Reportedly Wanted To Pay Indie Developer In Exposure For Placing Popular Game In Its Cars
Tesla once reached out to ask to put her story in a car. I asked how much they would pay for the license and to cover the engineering work- they suggested zero, that I consider the exposure I would get
— Sam Barlow 🧜♀️ Project C & D (@mrsambarlow) October 31, 2022
Game developer Sam Barlow took to Twitter to relate the time Tesla wanted to put his game in their cars. Barlow was behind the independent title Her Story, an out-of-the-box interrogation game. But when he asked how much the company would be willing to compensate Barlow for the license, as well as the extra engineering that would be needed to make it work, Tesla reportedly said that they wouldn’t pay him and instead he should consider the potential exposure from having a game in Teslas.
What Else Is Making The News
Xiaomi Shows Off Radical Camera Phone Concept
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Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has shown off a concept phone based on the 12S Ultra that features a full-size mount for Leica lenses. The prototype phone allows users to take their mobile photography to the next level by allowing professional lenses to be mounted directly to the phone.
Taylor Swift Becomes First Artist To Have Entire Top 10 On Billboard 100
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Taylor Swift became the first artist to occupy the top 10 on the Billboard 100 with her latest release, the LP Midnights. Swift also surges past Drake and The Beatles for the most titles from the top of the Hot 100 in a single week, reports Billboard.