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

Switzerland Considers EV Driving Ban And Limits During A Blackout

Switzerland is considering limiting the use of EVs as Europe braces for a winter impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Germany’s Der Spiegel reports that Switzerland could implement such restrictions if the nation’s power supply runs short. Such a scenario, however, is a “level 3” shortage, and households will be asked to make a number of sacrifices beforehand, such as limiting the temperature of washing machines and banning the use of leaf blowers and patio heaters.

Munro MK_1 Is A $61,000 Brick-Shaped Electric Off-Roader With Up To 375 HP

Munro Vehicles has revealed its first off-roader in the form of the MK_1. The MK_1 is available with 2 power outputs, offering up to 375 hp (280 kW/381 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque coming from a single motor. The boxy electric SUV is built on a ladder chassis and remains suitably utilitarian for those looking for a capable off-roader with zero emissions.

2024 Mercedes-AMG S63 Hybrid Gets 791 HP, 33-Mile EV Range And Panamericana Grille

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG S63 Hybrid retains a turbocharged V8 but throws an electric motor into the mix. The electric-only running may be capped at just 21 miles (33 km), but there’s a lot of performance on offer from the hybrid drivetrain. The S63 offers a combined 791 hp (802 PS) and a massive 1,055 lb-ft (1,430 Nm) of torque for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of just 3.3 seconds.

Hertz To Pay $168 Million To Settle False Theft Report With Rental Customers

Hertz agreed to settle 364 pending claims related to its alleged false theft reports against its customers. The company will pay $168 million by the end of the year to resolve these disputes. The rental agency says that the agreement will settle about 95 percent of its pending theft report claims, which saw customers arrested, jailed, and, in one case, held at gunpoint by police officers who believed that a vehicle that had been legally rented was stolen.

300+HP Acura Integra Type S Coming Next Summer With Type-R Engine, LSD And 6MT

The Acura Integra is getting a high-performance Type S version in time for summer 2024. The Integra Type-S will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with more than 300 hp, the same as in the Civic Type R, and will be available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.

Facelifted 2024 Tesla Model 3 Spied Testing On The Streets Of California

https://twitter.com/omg_tesla/status/1598907595632562176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1598907595632562176%7Ctwgr%5E06c1fbb72bca21bc87b2a01f13a49d4b82412a45%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.carscoops.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D2561232action%3Dedit

Tesla appears to be readying a facelift for the Model 3, with two prototypes spotted by Twitter user ‘omg_Tesla/Rivian’ with black coverings over the front and rear fascias. Shortly after the first images of the white car emerged online, a bright red Model 3 with the same black coverings was spotted on the street by a Reddit user. Changes to the exterior are expected to be minor, whereas the interior is expected to become even more minimalist in a move to further reduce costs.

Lexus Is Developing A Manual Gearbox For EVs

Lexus is exploring adding a manual transmission option to some of its EV offerings, in a bid to add a bit more old-school driver engagement. Chief Engineer at Lexus Electrified, Takashi Watanabe, confirmed that the technology is not just for show purposes.

What Else Is Making The News

Meta Threatens To Pull US News Content From Facebook 

Meta is threatening to remove news content from Facebook in the US once the proposed Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA) is passed. The bill would allow publishers and broadcasters greater powers to collectively bargain with social media companies for a larger share of ad revenue, reports BBC News.

Man Who Shot Lady Gaga’s Dog Walker Sentenced To 21 Years In Jail 

James Howard Jackson has been sentenced to 21 years in jail for the attempted murder of Ryan Fischer, who was walking three French Bulldogs belonging to singer Lady Gaga. Jackson shot Fisher in the chest in 2021 and stole two dogs before they were returned unharmed.