IMSA 2023 – Acura ARX-06 GTP Racer Revealed

Posted on 19 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on IMSA 2023 - Acura ARX-06 GTP Racer Revealed

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Acura Motorsports has released the first official details for the all-new, electrified Acura ARX-06 prototype sports car, which will make its competition debut next January at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the GTP class*. The public unveiling will take place today Friday 19 August, just hours from now at The Quail in Carmel, California.

The latest in a line of Acura endurance racing prototypes, the ARX-06 features Acura-specific bodywork and aerodynamics based around an all-new widely used ORECA LMDh chassis** with an electrified hybrid power unit – a twin-turbocharged 2.4-liter V6 internal combustion engine designed, developed and manufactured by Honda Performance Development [HPD], the racing arm for Acura Motorsports in North America. Continue reading →

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First Look – 2023 Dodge Hornet and Hornet R/T PHEV

Posted on 18 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First Look 2023 Dodge Hornet and Hornet R/T PHEV

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The all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet is now on public view as part of industry events surrounding the Woodward Dream Cruise north of Detroit. There are three versions of the Dodge brand’s new entry in the compact utility vehicles (CUV) segment. The line consists of Hornet R/T; the Hornet GT, claimed to be the quickest, most powerful CUV under $30,000; and the Hornet GT GLH Concept, which uses optional Direct Connection performance parts upgrades.

“The Dodge brand’s electrified transformation has left the starting line, with the all-new Dodge Hornet R/T representing the first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. Continue reading →

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Success Threatens EVs as Public Charging Lacks Juice

Posted on 17 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Success Threatens EVs as Public Charging Lacks Juice

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As electric vehicle (EV) sales grew during the past year, they added stress to an already deficient public charging infrastructure that lacks juice. Owners in high EV volume markets of California, Texas and Washington, among others, are finding the charging infrastructure inadequate and inundated with non-functioning stations. These are among the findings in the second annual J.D. Power U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Public Charging Study,SM released today.

“Public charging continues to provide challenges to overall EV adoption and current EV owners alike,” said Brent Gruber, executive director of global automotive at J.D. Power. “Not only is the availability of public charging still an obstacle, but EV owners continue to be faced with charging station equipment that is inoperable. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program promises to provide funds to states for building out their EV public charging infrastructure.”
 Continue reading →

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BMW M is Testing a High-Performance EV Prototype

Posted on 17 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on BMW M is Testing a High-Performance EV Prototype

Amped-Up!

BMW M confirmed today that the first test drives of a so-called concept test vehicle for drive and chassis control systems are underway. A team of developers is now looking at the hardware and software solutions designed for fully electric high-performance cars.

The testing at the moment centers on a four-wheel drive system with four electric motors and an integrated driving dynamics control system. BMW claims that together they provide an unprecedented level of performance and experience. If successful – not a bad bet – it could bring another aspect to the meaning of amped-up AutoInformed opines. Continue reading →

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Up-sizing and Pricing: Chevy ZR2 Bison Now on Silverado

Posted on 16 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Up-sizing and Pricing Chevy ZR2 Bison Now on 2023 Silverado

Really?

Building from the financial success of the Colorado ZR2 Bison in 2019, Chevrolet is adding the off-road performance package to the full-size Silverado pickup in collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), an off-road aftermarket manufacturer.

The first-ever Silverado ZR2 Bison special edition includes the standard: Silverado 6.2-liter V8 engine with 10-speed automatic transmission rated at 420 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. torque to power through tough terrains; Multimatic 40-millimeter DSSV spool-valve dampers; differently tuned springs that, with the Multimatic dampers, increase maximum front and rear suspension travel, compared to the Silverado Trail Boss; off-road chassis and suspension calibrations, including Terrain Mode, which allows one-pedal rock crawling.

Deliveries will start in 2023 with a MSRP of $78,490 after destination. This is $8,295 more than the 2022 Silverado ZR2. Is it worth the money for modest changes in specifications and no increase in output? Well, performance trucks are a hot segment – we will see what the market will reveal. Continue reading →

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Ford Recalls 2022 Maverick Pickups for Bad Airbags

Posted on 16 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Ford Recalls 2022 Maverick Pickups for Bad Airbags

Another Ford Recall? Click to Enlarge.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 2022 Mavericks because the side-curtain air bags may not deploy properly. These Maverick pickup trucks fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, “Ejection Mitigation.” Almost 65,000 2022 model year Mavericks with build dates from February 3, 2021 through July 9, 2022 are affected. Owners won’t be notified until the last week of September. Ford is still investigating the root cause of this safety defect. The left- and right-side curtain airbags that are the problem were built in Mexico.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered the problem in June of 2022 during a FMVSS 226 compliance audit on a 2022 model year Maverick. The displacement results for the front lower primary target were 111.9 mm, which exceeds the federal regulation of 100 mm. Side curtain air bags that may not meet the displacement requirements of FMVSS 226 S4.2.1 Ejection increase the risk of injury in a crash. No warning of the existence of potential deadly problem occurs before an accident. Continue reading →

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Aston Martin DBR22 Concept Shown in California

Posted on 15 August 2022 by Ken Zino

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Aston Martin DBR22 Concept Shown in CaliforniaAston Martin at the 2022 Monterey Car Week unveiled the DBR22 concept – a V12-powered, two-seat design in the tradition of the marque’s history of open-cockpit sports racers. The DBR22 design concept will become a production reality for a few Q by Aston Martin* customers – the custom vehicle shop at A-M. The fiber bodied, twin turbo convertible claims a tops speed of 198mph, with a zero-to-60 time of 3.4 seconds.

Q by Aston Martin this year marks a decade of building exclusive cars for the “world’s most discerning” – or is that richest – customers? There exist one-off commissions such as Aston Martin Victor, and low volume specials such as Vulcan – limited to 24 examples worldwide, and Vantage V600 – just 14, are examples of these collaborations. Continue reading →

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NHTSA: Bad Brakes on 1.7M Fords, Lincolns?

Posted on 15 August 2022 by Ken Zino

The Office of Defects Investigation at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened up a formal inquiry about what could be bad brake hoses on 1.7 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles. NHTSA has received 50 complaints alleging front brake hose failures on MY 2013-2018 Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ vehicles (RQ 22-004).

These vehicles were not part of the 11 August 2020, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) safety recall 20V-469 on Model Year (MY) 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles that addressed front brake hoses (jounce hoses) rupturing prematurely. The cause was due to consistent localized failures of the internal reinforcement braid due to cyclic fatigue during suspension and steering movement. The recall replaced both front brake jounce hoses with a new revised braid material and bled the brake system. Continue reading →

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First Look at Nowhere – 2023 GMC Canyon and AT4X

Posted on 12 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First Look at Nowhere - 2023 GMC Canyon and AT4X

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GMC says that the 2023 GMC Canyon mid-size truck is the official vehicle of nowhere. No, the expensive truck division of GM wasn’t referring to the well-publicized industry semi-conductor and other shortages induced by Covid that has severely restricted production.

Instead GMC was trying to emphasize the off-road aspects of the mid-size pickup truck. The new Canyon has a redesigned exterior with a standard factory lift and widened track across the lineup, some new technologies and a new interior design. In short, the next gen Canyon is built for traversing off-road terrain. (AutoInformed: GMC Adds Hummer SUV EV. Direct Selling Without Dealers?) Continue reading →

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Two Bronco Heritage Models New for 2023

Posted on 11 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Two Bronco Heritage Models New for 2023

Note that ‘Heritage’ four-door.

Today Ford announced that for 2023 models, the entire Bronco® family – Bronco two-door, Bronco four-door and Bronco Sport SUVs – will come in Heritage editions. Following an old industry practice, there are hints of the original design in colors, grille, trim and wheels among other gross profit increasing tweaks.

Ford will build 1966 units of each Heritage Limited Edition model to commemorate the year the original Bronco debuted, which given the ongoing parts shortages likely will result in fewer less expensive versions. Continue reading →

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First Look – All Electric Mercedes EQS SUV

Posted on 9 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on First Look: All Electric Mercedes EQS SUV

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The new Mercedes-EQ model – EQS SUV – debuted this morning in Stuttgart. The first all-electric SUV from luxury automaker Mercedes under the electric EQ brand is a two- or three-row large vehicle produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa. It can be ordered now for customers in Europe with deliveries starting there in December. (AutoInformed: First Look: Mercedes EQS All-Electric Sedan, Mercedes-Benz to Increase Focus as a Luxury Car Company, Back to School – E Before Q at MBUSA)

Mercedes with this full-size SUV is mounting a growing defense of its competitiveness in expensive luxury vehicles, which is under attack by Tesla, Lexus, BMW, Porsche, and Maybach, among others, all of whom must address the growing global demand for SUV shapes and the utility provided. By 2030, the subsidiary of Daimler now – belatedly? – wants more than half the cars it sells to have electric drive systems – this includes all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, areas it has been slow to embrace. Continue reading →

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VW Recalls Audi, Golf Models for Exploding Airbags

Posted on 8 August 2022 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, and 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly.

In the required NHTSA filing made public today VW Group said, “Audi is aware of one customer claim due to this issue.” The issues are an inflator explosion that may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. And/or an improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.
 Continue reading →

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US Gets Warrant to Seize Russian Oligarch Airbus

Posted on 8 August 2022 by Ken Zino
Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on US Gets Warrant to Seize Russian Oligarch Airbus

The investigation was coordinated through the DOJ’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an inter-agency law enforcement group dedicated to enforcing sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.

The United States of America today was authorized to seize an Airbus A319-100 owned and controlled by sanctioned Russian oligarch Andrei Skoch. The warrant from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York found that the airplane is subject to seizure and forfeiture based on probable cause of violation of the federal anti-money laundering laws. The seizure was made possible in part by Executive Orders Issued by the President of the United States, aka Joe Biden, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control or OFAC.

It’s just the latest example of successful maneuvering by the ‘get tough on criminals’ Biden Administration – “Russia, if you’re listening” which, critics note, is in stark contrast to the former administration’s Republican-endorsed pandering to Russia and its state sanctioned hackers. Russia are you listening now? Continue reading →

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Ferrari NA Recalls 2005-2022 Models for Brake Failures

Posted on 8 August 2022 by Ken Zino

Ferrari North America is recalling various 2005-2022 models* for brake failure. In the required NHTSA filing released today Ferrari said: “These vehicles are equipped with a braking system that could potentially leak brake fluid, which may lead to partial or total loss of braking capability.”

The repair consists of replacing the brake fluid reservoir cap and updating the software where applicable in the affected vehicles to provide for a different warning message if the vehicle should lose sufficient brake fluid. Continue reading →

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Western European Car Sales Point to a Recession

Posted on 5 August 2022 by Ken Zino

The Western Europe selling rate slipped to 9.5mn units/year in July, at the  year-to-date (YTD) average of 9.5mn units/year, the LMC Automotive* said today. “July saw a decline in new vehicle registrations year-on-year (YoY) across most countries,” LMC noted. The consultancy said this “relates to the ongoing supply issues, exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine and recent China lockdown.”

Well partially yes, but AutoInformed’s reading of economic data leads us to believe that Europe is in an ongoing recession as the US economy is growing. LMC’s take is, arguably, more optimistic than ours. Continue reading →

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