Aurelia Butler

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 crossover is the subject of a new safety probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The investigation comes as a result of 30 customer complaints alleging a loss of power while driving the Ioniq.According to Hyundai and the Office of Defects Investigation, the issue stems from the Integrated Control Charging Unit (ICCU).Hyundai’s celebrated and popular Ioniq 5 electric crossover is the subject of an open investigation by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). The investigation stems from 30 customer complaints alleging their Ioniq 5 lost power while they were driving it. As things stand now, the investigation only affects 2022 model year Ioniq 5s. According to NHTSA, many of the customer complaints refer to a loud popping noise in the car, followed by a warning displayed in their dashboard and an immediate loss of power that ranges from a reduction to a complete loss of motive power. The ODI conducted a series of owner interviews confirming loss of power and varying time intervals between the warning message and loss of power.HyundaiAccording to documents from NHTSA, Hyundai has said the failure is related to the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), which is responsible for powering both the main vehicle battery and the low voltage 12V accessory battery. Hyundai’s preliminary assessment leads it to believe that the problem stems from an over-current within the ICCU that can damage transistors in the 12V battery system, hampering its ability to recharge. Recent NHTSA Action”We value our cooperative relationship with NHTSA and have engaged in frequent, open, and transparent dialogue with the agency on this topic,” Hyundai said in a statement. The company is planning to begin a service campaign in July, updating software as necessary and replacing ICCUs if that is needed.The investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear right now if NHTSA will decide to transition into a full-scale recall. It’s important to note that while an ODI investigation may lead to a recall, NHTSA considers investigations and recalls to be separate. Owners concerned their vehicle may be under recall can check out the NHTSA recalls website for more information. Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

The McMurtry Spéirling Pure is a track-going electric supercar, with only 100 examples planned at more than $1 million apiece.The Spéirling emerged last year with a record-breaking run at the Goodwood Hill Climb. It uses two rear-mounted fans to produce absurd amounts of downforce.The car is tiny, shorter than a Chevrolet Spark and weighing less than 2205 pounds, yet the Spéirling still produces 999 horsepower.The McMurtry Spéirling shocked the world last year by setting a new lap record at the Goodwood Hill Climb, sprinting up the storied course in 39.08 seconds. Now the British startup says it will build 100 examples of the diminutive electric supercar, dubbing the customer-spec version the Spéirling Pure and unveiling the car ahead of this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.McMurtryThe Spéirling Pure will still be a track-only vehicle, boasting 999 horsepower from two electric motors, one for each rear wheel. McMurtry says it weighs under 2205 pounds, and while the Pure is 10.0 inches longer than the original prototype at 135.8 inches, that is still over seven inches shorter than the tiny Chevy Spark. The Spéirling also stands just 40.2 inches tall and is 62.2 inches wide, but despite the unusual proportions, the adjustable pedals and steering wheel are meant to fit drivers up to six foot seven inches and 330 pounds. McMurtry claims a 190-mph top speed, but the Spéirling is more focused on unbelievable grip in the corners. The supercar runs on slick racing tires (measuring 275 mm wide in the front and 300 mm in the rear) and packs two electric turbines behind the cockpit. Those fans provided around 4400 pounds of downforce at a standstill in the original prototype, and although McMurtry hasn’t quoted a figure for the Pure, the automaker says the “downforce-on-demand fan system” helps the car achieve 3 g’s when cornering at “accessible speeds.”McMurtryThe Pure Should Perform Even Better The company claims that the Pure will have even better performance than the Goodwood record-holding car. The Spéirling is designed to be able to run multiple laps on full-sized racetracks before needing to be recharged. The 60.0-kWh battery is integrated into the carbon-fiber monocoque and can replenish the battery in 20 minutes, although McMurtry didn’t provide specifics around the charging setup required.After unveiling the first Spéirling Pure prototype at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, McMurtry will begin building pre-production prototypes in 2024 with deliveries commencing in 2025. The 100 units will start at well over $1 million at today’s conversion rates. The lucky owners of the Spéirling Pure will be able to participate in the GT1 Sports Club, an event for supercars held during SRO GT World Challenge race weekends at racetracks around the world.More Electric SupercarsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-class wagon makes its global debut. The luxury wagon enters a new generation with a light redesign and fancy tech.EPA documents suggest the All-Terrain model is the only E-class wagon variant coming to America, though a future AMG-tuned E63 is also likely coming. The days of a do-anything luxury sport wagon may be numbered, but they aren’t over yet. Mercedes-Benz proves that by pulling back the cloth on the sixth-generation E-class wagon. As with its smaller sedan sibling, Mercedes breathes new life into the 2024 E-class wagon, with a redesign and a host of new tech. The new generation brings new styling as well as some physical growth for the E-class estate, which is 0.9 inch longer than its predecessor. The extra length is said to provide more legroom for rear-seat passengers. An additional 1.1 inches of width means extra space to stretch your arms too. In proving the practicality of the form factor, cargo room increases from 22 cubic feet with the rear seats up to an SUV rivaling 65 cubes of storage with the seats folded. Style-wise, the E-wagon earns a new front grille and the taillights now feature two star-shaped elements, akin to the Mercedes star logo.Extravagant InteriorThe 2024 E-class wagon is as extravagant inside as the sedan counterpart. The longroof version comes standard with two displays, but the high-tech, three-display “Superscreen” is available here as well. Just like with the standard E-class, the rest of the cabin features rich-looking leather and metal switchgear. Ambient lighting wraps the dashboard and ties together the rest of the interior. The optional Active Ambient Lighting package allows the lights to change with the beat of the music. The light strip can also display visual alerts from the driver-assistance systems to warn the driver of potential dangers. When equipped with the optional front-passenger screen, the Superscreen extends the passenger can stream videos and games, even while the car is in motion. According to Mercedes, the system is safe due to a technology that blocks the driver from seeing dynamic content on the screen. Mercedes also installed a handful of third-party apps on the central display, including TikTok, Zoom, and even Angry Birds, while the built-in entertainment system allows for streaming as part of a subscription plan. Zoom uses the optional selfie and video camera that comes with the Superscreen and requires the vehicle to be stationary to function.Unanswered QuestionsWithout confirmation from the manufacturer, we can’t be sure, but it looks like the E450 All-Terrain will continue to be the only E-class wagon to cross the Atlantic. Mercedes revealed a new PHEV version that will go on sale at launch, though, unfortunately for us, the manufacturer doesn’t seem to want to sell plug-in hybrids in North America. Instead, we’re more likely to see the updated 375-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six hybrid that powers the new E450 sedan. The hybrid systems are said to reduce turbo lag and smooth the operation of the auto start/stop system. It’s likely the wagon will also follow the sedan with standard all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. There are still a lot of unanswered questions for the new E-class wagon. Pricing has yet to be announced, and we’re still waiting on official confirmation the new generation is even coming to America. Sales are set to start in the fall for Europe, with more information likely to released before then. Mercedes-Benz E-ClassThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

Today Rivian announced that it will join GM and Ford in adopting Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), meaning that Rivians will be able to use Tesla’s Supercharger network. The R1T and R1S won’t have factory-installed NACS ports until 2025, but adapters will be available early next year. The upcoming R2 model will also switch to NACS. This content is imported from twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Tesla posits the industry stampede to its chargers as a win-win for both parties, and it might be, financially. In Tesla’s statement about the Rivian news, Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla’s senior director of charging infrastructure, said, “We look forward to welcoming Rivian owners to thousands of our Superchargers across North America.” Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe was understandably cheery about the announcement, saying, “The adoption of the North American Charging Standard will enable our existing and future customers to leverage Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network while we continue to build out our Rivian Adventure Network.” The optimistic view is that if every electric car can use every charger, then everybody is better off. Right? Sure, unless you drive one of the cars that formerly had its own walled garden of charging competence. Meaning, a Tesla.Thomas Trutschel|Getty ImagesLooking a Little Crowded at the Charging StationWhile rivals’ adoption of NACS instantly gives Tesla hundreds of thousands of new charging customers (and licensing fees from manufacturers), the news isn’t as wonderful for Tesla’s own customers, who’ll now face bigger crowds at the finite number of Superchargers. Grant Larsen, owner of a 2020 Model 3, says, “That’s really surprising that they’re letting other companies in. Superchargers already get crowded and charge speed goes down if someone is right next to you. So I’m not super excited about this, because Tesla owners can’t go anywhere else and get the same charging experience. Most other chargers are slow.” But if you’re on the other side of these announcements, and the Supercharger drawbridge is on the way down, the prospect of reliable fast-charging would relieve a huge EV-ownership pain point. Neil Mandt, who drives a 2023 Mercedes EQS, says: “The biggest nightmare about this car is that I can’t get to fast-chargers. I always have to wait in line like it’s the gas embargo from the 1970s. Opening up the Tesla chargers to everybody would be amazing.”Mercedes-Benz hasn’t announced any plans to adopt Tesla’s charging standard . . . yet. Coming Right UpSenior EditorEzra Dyer is a Car and Driver senior editor and columnist. He’s now based in North Carolina but still remembers how to turn right. He owns a 2009 GEM e4 and once drove 206 mph. Those facts are mutually exclusive. More

To help with U.S.-based natural disasters, Ford is providing $2.5 million to Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization.Team Rubicon will receive two Bronco Sasquatch SUVs and 15 pickup trucks: 10 F-150 Hybrids, three F-150 Lightning EV pickups, and two F-350s.Ford previously gave Team Rubicon $1.5 million and donated $7 million for disaster relief efforts in the past few years. Automakers often donate vehicles or financial resources to communities they are connected to after a disaster hits. Today, Ford is announcing a five-year, $2.5 million investment in Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization. Ford has previously donated $1.5 million to Team Rubicon and said the latest donation will allow the organization to assist communities facing damage from “the increasing number of natural disasters across the United States.” Ford said it will make a total investment of $5.8 million in Team Rubicon.Stepping Up Transportation, including passenger vehicles, is responsible for around 29 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, climate change scientists have warned that increasing global temperatures will lead to more intense weather disasters. According to NBC News, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration identified 18 extreme weather events that each caused at least $1 billion in damage in 2022.Ford Motor CompanyA Fleet of Fords with Reflective WrapsOn top of the just-announced monetary donation, Ford will also hand over 17 electric vehicles and hybrids to Team Rubicon, including 15 pickup trucks and two four-door Broncos with a Sasquatch off-road package. That truck fleet will be made up of 10 F-150 XL PowerBoost Hybrid trucks, three F-150 Lightning Pro trucks, and two Super Duty F-350 XL trucks. Ford selected these models not only for their ability to carry heavy loads—of food or medical supplies, for example—but also to provide power for rescue efforts or other needs, as all 15 trucks have some Pro Power Onboard capability. The 17-vehicle fleet will also have a co-branded wrap design that includes reflective elements so the vehicles are easier to see in the dark.Full Details and SpecsFord is making the donation through its charitable arm, the Ford Motor Company Fund, which has donated $7 million to disaster relief efforts globally in the past few years, according to the group’s website. Ford and the Ford Fund made over $64 million in charitable contributions in 2022.Team Rubicon Started in HaitiTeam Rubicon was founded in 2010 after a massive earthquake in Haiti. The veteran-led organization now supports communities around the world “before, during, and after disasters and crises” with the help of over 150,000 volunteers. Team Rubicon operates across the United States.Ford will encourage its employees to volunteer with Team Rubicon by providing paid time off when they do. Ford employees volunteered with Team Rubicon in Detroit earlier in 2023 to repair homes wrecked by floods in 2021. The first targets for Ford employees with this new donation are Detroit, again, and Houston.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Heading Off Disasters at Your HouseContributing EditorSebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006. His articles and car reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Automotive News, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Trucks.com, Car Talk, and other outlets. His first green-car media event was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been tracking the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and discovering the new technology’s importance not just for the auto industry, but for the world as a whole. Throw in the recent shift to autonomous vehicles, and there are more interesting changes happening now than most people can wrap their heads around. You can find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a new EV.  More