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

Tennessee’s New Blue License Plates Pose A Problem For Automatic Plate Readers

Automatic number plate scanners are having a hard time getting to grips with Tennessee’s new blue and white license plates. Although the color combo can be clearly read in daylight, it becomes difficult for law enforcement agency equipment to scan at night. The problems are similar to those experienced by Ontario when they tried to introduce a similar style number plate in 2020.

2023 Ferrari Purosangue Leaked Providing Our First Look At The Super SUV

The automotive world had been braced for the first-ever SUV from Ferrari, but no one quite knew how it would look: until now. The 2023 Ferrari Purosangue has apparently been leaked, with what appears to be a pre-production model spied on a factory floor. With SF90-like headlights, a grille that resides underneath the headlights, and black cladding around the wheel arches, it seems this could be close to what the production version will look like. Deliveries of the Ferrari SUV are slated for next year.

2023 Ford Ranger Raptor Debuts Down Under With 394 HP, Europe Gets Only 282 HP

It might not be the North American version that many are waiting for, but the Australian and European variants of the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor have been unveiled. As expected, the Ranger Raptor looks like a bulked-up version of the pickup, with flared wheel arches and 32-inch AT tires. There’s extra protection added underneath and heavy-duty Fox shocks. Under the hood, Europe will get a relatively modest 284 hp (212 kW / 288 PS) and 491 Nm (362 lb-ft) of torque from its V6 engine. Australia, on the other hand, will get as much as 392 hp (292 kW / 397 PS) and 583 Nm (430 ft-lb) of torque.

What’s The Best Sedan For Under $50,000 In America Right Now?

Sedans have long been a dying breed in the US. But with a thinned heard comes the chance for some previous outliers to come to the fore. So, this begs the question: what’s the best sedan for less than $50,000 in America right now? Could it be the 280-hp Guilia Ti or the 365-hp Genesis G70 3.3T RWD? BMW offers the 301-hp $45,500 M235i xDrive Gran Coupe, while a home-grown alternative could be the Dodge Charger Scat Pack. Let us know your pick in the comments!

VW Releases Initial ID. Buzz Specifications, Will Have RWD And 201 HP

New details surrounding the upcoming ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo have been released by the German carmaker, ahead of its March 9 launch. The ID. Buzz will ride on the MEB platform and feature an 82 kWh battery pack that supplies a rear-mounted electric motor developing 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque. Volkswagen also confirmed the vans would ride on 18- to 21-inch wheels, but as yet, range figures have not been released.

2023 BMW 1-Series Spied With Updated Looks And Streamlined Design

A facelift for BMW’s 1-Series hatchback has been spied in a parking lot and features streamlined styling and a more curvaceous design. While the prototype is heavily camouflaged, we can just about make out round headlights, a new front bumper, and horizontal grille bars. The updates continue in the rear as we can see new taillights and a rounder bumper with a horizontal element. We expect the facelifted 1-Series to be introduced next year.

Kia EV6 Bursts Dramatically Into Flames Following Collision In Budapest

Footage from Hungary shows a new Kia EV6 that has burst into flames after a collision with what appears to be a concrete barrier. While the origins of the fire are unknown, it has been well-documented that damage to high-voltage cables can cause a vehicle to catch fire and that lithium-ion batteries, like the ones that power the EV6, can be tough to put out once they erupt into flames.

What Else Is Making The News

Oil Prices Rise Amidst Russia-Ukraine Tensions 

The price of Brent crude oil, an international benchmark, reached a seven-year high of $99.38, reports the BBC. It comes as multiple nations have threatened sanctions against Russia, while tensions continue over Ukraine. Russia is the second-largest oil exporter and the top producer of natural gas.

Star Trek Cast To Return For New Movie

It’s been some time since Star Trek fans were treated with any new cinematic content. However, fans of Chris Pine (Kirk), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), Zachary Quinto (Spock), John Cho (Sulu), Simon Pegg (Scotty), and Karl Urban (Bones), will be treated with a new Star Trek movie. Star Trek 4 is slated to begin production later this year.