Good morning and welcome to our weekly digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
Another threat to automotive supply chains outside of the semiconductor crisis is Canadian-style protests spreading across the world. Although protesters have now been ordered to leave the area there’s still a risk that truckers elsewhere may start emulating those protests. The Canadian protest was sparked by rules demanding drivers be vaccinated before being allowed to cross the border with the U.S. Further blockades will seriously hamper supply chains across various industries, including automotive.
2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Lands With Hybrid Options, NFT Tech And The Promise Of U.S. Sales
The 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale is the first-ever electrified production car from the Italian marque. The small SUV is being positioned to rival the likes of the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Mercedes-Benz GLA and it will be available with two self-charging hybrid options, a PHEV variant as well as conventional ICE options. All will come with an automatic transmission, and the Tonale will be available in both FWD and AWD configurations.
2022 Ford Bronco Everglades Gets Tough With A 10,000 Pound Winch And Snorkel For $53,000
The Bronco Everglades edition is designed for those who like to challenge the abilities of their machines and features a host of added accessories for any avid off-road enthusiast to get the best out of their vehicle. Two standout additions to the Everglades are the Ford-designed snorkel and a heavy-duty bumper with a 10,000 lb capable Warn Zeon 10-S winch. There are also raised vents for an extra 73mm of wading depth, as well as the same protective safari bar, rock rails, and steel bash plates as the Black Diamond and Badlands models.
Singer Goes Back The 1980s With Gorgeous 450-HP Porsche 911 Turbo Study
So many restomod houses can’t resist the urge to go overboard when it comes to bringing a classic design into a new era. However, Singer has a track record of keeping just about everybody happy. So, it should be no surprise that its first-ever take at a forced-induction 911 knocks it out of the park. Every panel, bar the doors, is different, and yet the shape looks so familiar, while the engine features two turbochargers for up to 450 hp. There’s no word yet on price, but Singer has already got 70 orders lined up.
Mercedes Confirms It’s Killing Off The A-Class In America After 2022
The Mercedes A-Class Sedan is leaving the US market. Blame it on Merc’s cannibalistic positioning of the A-Class Sedan and CLA, or the fact that crossovers entice more buyers, but either way, the US is losing another sedan. Over in Canada, both the A-Class Sedan and Hatch will be killed off too. It’s all in an effort to streamline Mercedes’ product lines, while the company told us that the GLA crossover would fill in as the entry point to the brand’s US lineup.
2023 Kia Sportage PHEV Plugs Into A More Powerful Battery Offering 32 Miles Of Electric Range
The 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV features a bigger battery for an all-electric range of 32 miles (51 km). The ICE element is taken care of with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Korean company hasn’t announced the combined output, but we expect it to be just over 260 hp or the same as the Hyundai Tucson PHEV. Prices are yet to be announced, but the car will go on sale in the third quarter of 2022.
2023 Chevrolet Blazer Unveiled With Sharper Styling, Better Tech
It’s subtle updates for the 2023 Chevrolet Blazer. The main takeaways are new colors and wheels, with tweaks to the styling, including the front grille and bumper. There’s a new 10-inch touchscreen as standard on all models, and wireless charging will be available across the board too. Customers can opt for a 2.0-liter inline-four that makes 228 hp (231 PS/170 kW) or a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 308 hp (312 PS/230 kW), both of which are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Subaru BRZ Cup Car Basic Unveiled In Japan With Roll Cage And Steelies
The Subaru BRZ Cup Car Basic has been released in Japan to compete in a new one-make racing series. The car will come from the factory with black-finished 16-inch steel wheels, a roll cage, a six-point seatbelt for the driver, and special floor mats. The curtain airbags have been removed due to the roll cage. Upgrades to the drivetrain are limited to an oil cooler and added fins on the LSD — both additions designed to make the BRZ suited for track use. This special version is designed to participate in the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR86 / BRZ Cup racing series that is scheduled to start in 2022
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Blocking LA Traffic To Do Donuts Pops Like A Weasel
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While the 707 hp Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is certainly no joke, it can be made to look like one in the wrong hands. A video doing the rounds on social media shows one driver doing donuts in the middle of an intersection. If that wasn’t bad enough, sparks could be seen from the rear wheels, indicating that the car had ripped through its tires. There’s also a small matter of passengers hanging out of the car while it’s all happening.
What Else Is Making The News
Jurassic World Dominion Trailer Drops
What is being billed as the conclusion to the Jurassic World franchise sees humans and dinosaurs return to the big screen for (supposedly) one last time. The new movie features the return of some of the original cast members from Jurassic Park, including Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Sam Neill.
Apple To Make Changes To AirTags To Stop Unwanted Tracking
Apple is making changes to their AirTags to make it easier to find suspicious tags and alert users if an unwanted tag is traveling with them. Although the idea behind AirTags is to be used to track personal items that could be lost, there’s a risk that they could be unknowingly placed on personal property — such as a car or in a bag — and used to track others’ movements.