Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
Consumer Reports Reveals Most And Least Reliable Cars And Brands For 2021
Consumer Reports just published the results of their annual reliability study. This survey gathers information from car owners based on the reliability of their vehicles within the last 12 months of use. Quite unsurprisingly, Japanese manufacturers have come out on top, with Lexus (scored at 76), Mazda (75), and Toyota (71) claiming the top three positions on the list. U.S. manufacturers have upped their game as well, with Buick’s Envision, Ford’s all-new Bronco sport, Mustang Mach-E, Ranger, and Chevrolet’s Trailblazer being recognized as some of the most reliable U.S vehicles currently in the market. While results have been favorable for most manufacturers and their cars, some suffered, with examples like the Chevrolet Bolt and Jeep Gladiator failing to make the list of recommended vehicles.
Ferrari Daytona SP3 Is A Limited Run Hypercar With “Pop-Up” Headlights And An 829-HP V12
Ferrari’s first mid-engined V12 hypercar since the LaFerrari honors their legendary 1-2-3 win at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1967. Called the Daytona SP3, the hypercar features the most powerful Ferrari-built internal combustion engine in existence. Designers at Ferrari claim that the inspiration for the Daytona SP3 was derived from the blueprints of the P330 and P412, but the hypercar has a futuristic style that was created to give it “the highest level of passive aero efficiency.” The Daytona SP3 obtains power from a 6.5L V12 producing 829hp, sending it to 62mph from a standstill in just 2.85 seconds. Each of the 599 examples will cost 2 million euros ($2.3 million), but due to Ferrari’s handpicked customer base, the car is already effectively sold out.
New Audi Q5 e-tron Revealed In China As The Q4 e-tron’s Big Brother
Audi grabbed their share of media attention at the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show when they pulled the covers off the all-new Q5 e-tron, which is the latest member of the company’s all-electric SUV lineup. The China-exclusive model is expected to be offered with at least three different powertrains, and its design, although similar to the smaller Q4 e-tron, looks to be more family-focused. Production of the new Q5 e-tron will happen in China courtesy of the VW-SAIC joint venture.
EVs Could Save The Planet, But Who’ll Save the ICE-Industry Jobs?
We’re currently in the middle of one of the most significant evolutions in the history of human transportation. Leading car manufacturers are gradually replacing their ICE offerings with electric ones, but this could have a considerable impact closer to home. While EVs may not be churning out emissions in our neighborhoods, battery manufacturing comes at a substantial environmental cost due to the mining of lithium and cobalt, but even if this were fixed, only time would tell what will happen to almost 5 million people employed in the U.S. parts industry, as well as the rippling effects felt on nearly every other industry linked to it.
Driven: The 2022 Golf GTI And Golf R Are Hot Hatch Dynamos
With hatchbacks never truly catching on with American consumers, we’ve seen nameplates like the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruz buried in the U.S. The Standard VW Golf also met its maker in the U.S. market, but there is hope, as the GTI and R versions of the car will still be offered for 2022. Both versions of the vehicle will receive some minor cosmetic upgrades, with the Golf R obviously looking sportier. Both trims will be powered via the turbocharged 2.0 EA888 evo4 engine, with the GTI producing 241hp while its much more powerful sibling puts out 315hp.
Lincoln Unveils The Attractive New 2022 Zephyr Sedan At Auto Guangzhou
Their sedans might be dead in the U.S., but Lincoln showcased the striking new, China-only, 2022 Zephyr at the Guangzhou Auto Show. The mid-size sedan is part of Lincoln’s “Quiet Flight” design DNA and has an extensive list of characteristics that just may give it an edge in the luxury sedan segment. It features a full-length light bar upfront and ‘3D floating effect’ tail lights, making the car is nothing short of impressive from the outside. And the interior doesn’t fall short either. Lincoln said that the Zephyr’s cabin was designed to wow Gen Z consumers, and so it continues its futurism by allowing passengers to create an ambiance to suit one’s needs.
Great Wall Motors Flabbergasts Us With China’s First Supercar Pickup Concept
Great Wall Motors was certainly noticed at the Guangzhou Auto Show this year as they debuted a concept of what seems to be a highly (cosmetically) modified version of their King Kong Cannon pickup truck. The bizarre modifications on the truck seem better fitted to its name, but one can’t help but find the protruding wheel arches and air intakes slightly unnecessary, especially as the company had nothing to say about the powertrain, making the supercar/pickup truck seem like it might not have any bite.
What Else Is Making The News
San Diego Cash Truck Sends Motorists Into A Frenzy
A truck heading to the federal reserve caused a frenzy when one of its doors opened while it was in transit, spreading cash on the Freeway. Social media was awash with people pocketing the cash, which could serve as evidence as authorities now seek to find those who stole the money.
F1 Title Battle Heats Up
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The battle for the 2021 world driver’s championship continued to swing on Sunday after Lewis Hamilton led a dominant race from pole to claim another victory. Championship leader Max Verstappen finished second, despite starting from seventh on the grid after a five-place penalty for ignoring yellow flags in qualifying. Fernando Alonso managed to take the third step on the podium, the first time he’s done so in F1 since 2014. Verstappen currently has 351.5 points, while Hamilton has 343.5. with just two races to go.