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    Ola Electric Scooter Gen 3 Platform – ADAS, New Scooter Styles (Sport, Commuter, Tourer)

    Ola Electric Scooter Gen 3 PlatformOla Electric Unveils Revolutionary Gen 3 Electric Scooter Platform – A Leap Forward in Design and IntegrationOla Electric has unveiled its groundbreaking Gen 3 electric scooter platform, marking a significant leap forward in the evolution of electric vehicles. Building on the success of its Gen 2 platform, which delivered a 26% performance boost and a 22.5% reduction in costs, the Gen 3 platform is poised to set new standards in the industry with its innovative and scalable design.Inside the Box: Integrated Motor, Battery, and ElectronicsThe highlight of the Gen 3 platform is its integration of the motor, battery, and electronics into a single, seamless unit. This approach, described as “Inside the Box,” involves the creation of a structural battery pack that not only serves as an energy source but also enhances the vehicle’s integrity and strength. The aluminium-casted front and rear frame subassemblies are integrated into the battery box, transforming it into a key structural component.[embedded content]This new platform is designed for scalability, allowing Ola Electric to expand its product lineup to cater to a broader range of customer needs, from commuter scooters to high-performance sports models and touring options.Next-Generation Battery TechnologyAt the heart of the Gen 3 platform is the newly developed battery, featuring indigenously produced 4680 battery cells. These cells, which are larger in diameter and 10% more energy-dense than previous models, are connected using in-molded bus bars, reducing manufacturing time while enhancing shock resistance, strength, and thermal efficiency.Ola Electric Scooter Gen 3 PlatformMagnetless Motor for Enhanced EfficiencyOla Electric has also introduced a next-generation, magnetless motor that integrates all components seamlessly. This new motor uses magnetized electrical coils instead of permanent magnets, generating higher torque more efficiently. The materials for this motor will be sourced entirely from within India, eliminating the need for rare earth materials and making the platform more sustainable.Ola Electric Scooter Gen 3 PlatformSimplified Electronics ArchitectureThe Gen 3 platform also simplifies the electronic architecture by integrating the core functionalities of the Battery Management System (BMS), Motor Control Unit (MCU), and other components into a single high-performance multi-core processor. This new architecture reduces wiring complexity, enhances reliability, and supports wireless data communication.Ola Electric Scooter Gen 3 PlatformAdvanced Central Compute BoardOla Electric’s new Central Compute Board, housing all the main ECUs, is more powerful than any two-wheeler electronics board currently on the market. This upgrade not only improves current functionality but also prepares the platform for future advancements, including next-generation safety features enabled by an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).Ola Electric Scooter Gen 3 PlatformA New Era of Electric MobilityThe Gen 3 platform represents a major step forward in Ola Electric’s mission to streamline manufacturing, reduce costs, and enhance the performance of its electric vehicles, setting the stage for a new era of innovation in the electric mobility sector. More

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    Copycat Controversy: Ola Electric Slammed for Using Hero’s Zero Motorcycle Photoshoot Images

    Hero MotoCorp owned Zero Electric and Ola ElectricProduct manager at Hero Tech Center Germany for Vida World, has claimed that Ola Electric has copied from Zero Electric Motorcycles, a division of Hero MotoCorpOla Electric, a prominent name in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, recently unveiled its new lineup of electric motorcycles on 15th August. However, the launch has quickly become mired in controversy, with accusations surfacing that the photoshoot images of Ola’s new motorcycles have been copied from those of Zero Electric Motorcycles, a U.S.-based company owned by Hero MotoCorp.Hero MotoCorp owned Zero Electric and Ola ElectricOla Electric Copied Zero Electric?The controversy gained traction when Abrar Bin Ayub, Product Manager at Hero Tech Center Germany for Vida World, Hero MotoCorp’s EV division, took to social media to voice his concerns. In a scathing post, Ayub accused Ola Electric of blatantly ripping off the work of Zero Motorcycles. He wrote:Hero MotoCorp owned Zero Electric and Ola Electric“How sad! Folks at Ola Electric completely ripped off the work of Zero Motorcycles Inc. Beyond legal, how does one’s conscience allow this? Does the culture empower or force one to? Would really like to see accountability for this Bhavish Aggarwal.”Hero MotoCorp owned Zero Electric and Ola ElectricAyub’s post quickly spread across social media, igniting discussions about ethics in the EV industry and raising questions about Ola Electric’s practices.Hero MotoCorp owned Zero Electric and Ola ElectricOla Claims Of Being 4th Largest, Excluding ChinaAdding to the controversy, Ola Electric is also facing criticism for a claim made during the launch presentation. The company declared itself the 4th largest EV company in the world but added a small disclaimer at the bottom of the slide—”excluding China.” This statement has sparked outrage on social media, with users accusing Ola Electric of deliberately excluding China, the largest EV market, to bolster its ranking.4th largest EV Company claimOne post by social media user Ishan Agarwal, which garnered over 1.1 million views, sarcastically remarked, “There’s never a day that Indian companies won’t embarrass you. They removed a whole country larger than India from the chart to make OLA the ‘4th’ largest EV company.” Another user pointed out the irony, stating, “After a few slides, they announced a partnership with Lenovo, a Chinese company. I think they did it with intention.”The backlash against Ola Electric is intensifying as both the photoshoot image allegations and the controversial sales claim continue to circulate widely online. The company’s next steps in addressing these issues will be closely watched by industry observers and consumers alike. More

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    Acura Shows an Integra Type S Chock Full of Parts Developed by Its HRC Racing Division, May Start Selling Them

    At Monterey Car Week, Acura showed off a prototype Integra Type S bursting with racing equipment from Honda Racing Corporation.The project cut 200 pounds from the stock Type S and added an adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing, a larger front splitter, and other racing modifications.The changes clearly go beyond mere cosmetic enhancement, but whether customers will be able to buy these parts as a single package has yet to be announced.Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) already builds a race-car version of the most excellent and 10Best-winning Acura Integra Type S that competes in the TCX class. Now, the company is showcasing a what-if concept during Monterey Car Week that features go-faster parts for the Integra Type S street car, developed by HRC’s engineers.Honda’s racing division was formerly known as HPD, for Honda Racing Development, which changed to Honda Racing Corporation, or HRC, in late 2023. This division handles the company’s IndyCar and IMSA racing efforts and will once again build engines for Formula 1 in 2026 in a partnership with Aston Martin.The Integra Type S Prototype takes learnings from the TCX race car with a larger front splitter and cooling ducts, larger hood vents, and an adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing. Weight, already a strong suit for the stock Type S at just over 3200 pounds, has been reduced by a claimed 200 pounds, thanks to carbon-fiber hood, rear door panels, fixed-back Recaro buckets, plus replacing the rear seat with a carbon-fiber shelf designed with ferrying a spare set of wheels and tires to the track in mind, and deleting the air conditioning.The prototype’s larger intercooler, twin oil coolers, and exhaust system come straight from the TCX car, but HRC doesn’t quote any power improvement. This overhauled Integra sits 0.6 inch lower, with new springs and dampers, an adjustable rear anti-roll bar, and front and rear camber plates. Forged wheels are the same 9.5 x 19-inch size as the stock Type S’s, but increased negative offset widen the front and rear track widths by 1.2 inches. The prototype swaps out the stock Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires for more aggressive Pirelli P Zero Trofeo Rs, tires that we saw improved the grip of our long-term 2019 Civic Type R to an impressive 1.05 g and reduced the 70–0 mph stopping distance to a scant 140 feet. Front brake rotors grow by 1.2 inches to 15.0 inches, and six-piston Brembo front calipers replace four-piston units from the stock Type S. Literally tying it all together is a cross-car brace where the rear seat used to live.AcuraAcuraAlthough we would have liked a few more hard details about just how much this Integra’s performance has been improved, it appears that HRC is planning for its bits to have more performance-enhancing teeth than the mostly cosmetic HPD packages offered on vehicles such as the Civic and Ridgeline. But whether this concept portends selling individual bits or an entire HRC-badged package like this Integra remains to be seen.Dave VanderWerp has spent more than 20 years in the automotive industry, in varied roles from engineering to product consulting, and now leading Car and Driver’s vehicle-testing efforts. Dave got his very lucky start at C/D by happening to submit an unsolicited resume at just the right time to land a part-time road warrior job when he was a student at the University of Michigan, where he immediately became enthralled with the world of automotive journalism. More

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    Porsche Debuts 50th Anniversary 911 Turbo

    Porsche never forgets an anniversary, and 2025 happens to mark 50 years since the debut of the first 911 Turbo in 1975. How to celebrate? By building a special edition, of course. Break out your checkbooks, 911-ophiles, because the order banks are open for the 2025 911 Turbo 50 Years. To snag one, all you need is an appreciation for forced-induction history and a check for $263,095.The Turbo 50 Years is based on the current 2025 911 Turbo S, which means it gets a 3.7-liter flat-six that makes 640 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, sent through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The hardware doesn’t much change compared to a standard Turbo S—suspension is lowered by 0.4 inch, and there’s a sport exhaust system with black tailpipes—but the graphics and color scheme are all about exulting the turbocharger.Half-Century MarkDecals on the side of the car recall the 1973 RSR Turbo that presaged the production 930, and the wheels and inlays are painted in a color called Turbonite. A badge on the decklid depicts a turbocharger, and the puddle lights even project turbocharger images on the ground beside the car.The interior gets the throwback treatment with tartan upholstery and plenty of Turbo 50 shoutouts scattered about, including on a numbered plaque above the glove box. Owners wishing to lean into the retro vibe even harder can spec the Heritage Design package that brings sport classic wheels and, if you’re so inclined, the lollipop-style race numbers on the doors. You can choose any number you want, as long as it’s between 0 and 99.But is there a special watch available to buyers of the Turbo 50 Years? Glad you asked, and the answer is of course. Porsche Design is also building 1974 chronographs that stick with the theme, including Turbonite elements and a strap fashioned from the same black leather used in the car. A clear case allows a view of the winding rotor, which is styled to resemble the wheels on the car. One cannot accuse Porsche of ever wandering off-brand.The Turbo honorific, once synonymous with the extra-spicy Porsche 911s, has been diluted to the point that Porsche itself applies it to cars that don’t even have engines while withholding it from models that actually do use turbochargers. But the 911 Turbo 50 Years is here to remind the world, or at least everyone else in the valet line at Nobu, where it all started.Ezra 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

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    2025 Lincoln Navigator Is Grandiose and Full of Screens, as Expected

    The newly revamped Lincoln Navigator now has a standard 48-inch dash-spanning “Horizon” display.The large luxury SUV also adopts a new drop-down lower tailgate and an upper liftgate with hands-free power operation.Pricing is expected to start “just under” $100K, with orders opening in mid-October and deliveries in spring 2025.Lincoln’s mack-daddy SUV, the OG king of bling, is freshly turned out from its new split grille bisected by a light-up bar to the new two-piece tailgate. The Navigator has long been the brand’s style setter, but the revamped 2025 version adopts some features and design elements of the latest Nautilus, which debuted roughly a year ago. Befitting its top-dog status, however, the new Nav exhibits a commensurately higher level of grandiosity.Much of the sheetmetal is new, including the hood, front fenders, and rear quarters, but the doors are carryover. The biggest departure is at the rear: The cargo area is now accessed via a split tailgate arrangement, à la Range Rover, with a lift-up upper section and a drop-down lower gate. The upper section or both elements can be set to automatically open upon approach. The lower section supports up to 500 pounds, and the available seatback insert is perfect for tailgating.Lincoln drops the Navigator’s previous Premiere trim level, which was chosen by a small percentage of buyers, leaving just the Reserve and Black Label. The available Jet Appearance package (Reserve) and Black Label Special Edition package black out the wheels and much of the exterior trim. The Black Label offers three color-and-trim themes: Invitation, Enlighten, and Atmospheric. The latter includes copper exterior accents, including on the 24-inch wheels; the base wheels are 22s.Inside, the headline item is the four-foot digital display that extends the full width of the dash—a bit of tech borrowed from the Nautilus. The setup is unusual not only for its size but for its configuration. The curved display is set into the upper dash section putting it near the base of the windshield. It’s divided into sections, including one for the front-seat passenger. When the vehicle is in park, videos or games can be shown in widescreen format (a change from the Nautilus, though that model will get the capability via an OTA update). Below the huge curved screen, a flat-top lower dash (in a contrasting color) pushes out closer to the occupants, putting the primary touchscreen (a more conventional 11.1-inch vertical display) within reach. Much of the previous physical switchgear on the wide center console has been banished, leaving buttons for gear selection and a large crystal volume knob. Audio and climate functions are now screen-operated. Because the driver looks over the steering wheel, rather than through it, at the digital gauges, the wheel has a “squircle” shape, with a flattened top and bottom. The brand’s Perfect Position front seats return with 22-way adjustability for the front passenger and 24-way for the driver. The Black Label ups the driver’s chair to 30-way adjustability, adding separate right and left under-thigh extensions and headrest adjustment. For the second row, buyers have a choice of a three-seat bench, captain’s chairs with a walk-through center section, or “PowerPitch and Slide” individual seats with a center console, heating, ventilation, and massage. The latter configuration is standard on the Black Label and optional on the Reserve. The standard third row hasn’t been forgotten, with the power-folding three-seat bench now split 40/20/40 and offering heated cushions. An expansive glass sunroof is standard, as is a scent diffuser and phone-as-a-key capability. Beneath all the finery, the mechanical package is only slightly evolved. The 3.5-liter V-6 sports redesigned twin turbos, but the engine huffs out the same 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet as before. All-wheel drive is again standard as are adaptive dampers that adjust based on information from road-scanning forward cameras. Suspension tuning has been tweaked and additional sound-deadening deployed. BlueCruise hands-free driving assist is also standard, and this latest version includes automated lane-changing (at the driver’s direction) and in-lane repositioning. Turn Signal View is a new driver-assist feature and uses a rear-facing camera to show an image of the adjacent lane onto the digital display when the turn signal is activated. Intersection Assist warns of oncoming traffic when turning left. As before, the Navigator comes in standard and L variants, the L riding on a nine-inch longer wheelbase and stretching an additional 11.9 inches from nose to tail. Cargo volume for the standard version ranges from 23 cubic feet behind the third row (with the power-reclining seatbacks fully upright) to 107 cubic feet with all rows flattened. For the L, those figures are 37 cubic feet and 122 cubes. With the available Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package, the Navigator can tow up to 8700 pounds.Pricing won’t be announced until this fall, as order books are expected to open in October. With the departure of the Premiere trim level, we’re told the cost of entry will rise to “just under” $100,000.More Navigator ReadingJoe Lorio has been obsessed with cars since his Matchbox days, and he got his first subscription to Car and Driver at age 11. Joe started his career at Automobile Magazine under David E. Davis Jr., and his work has also appeared on websites including Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar. More

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    Longroof BMW M5 Touring Is the First M-Car Station Wagon for the U.S.

    BMW has pulled the cover off a badass new M5 Touring station wagon at this year’s Monterey Car Week.Based on the M5 sedan, the Touring boasts 717 horsepower from a plug-in-hybrid powertrain, enough for a 3.5-second 60-mph time, according to BMW.Think of the M5 Touring as an even more practical daily driver than the M5—you know, in case its performance isn’t enough reason to justify the purchase. It is expected at dealers in early 2025.A station wagon with an M5 logo is no longer forbidden fruit to driving enthusiasts in the U.S. thanks to the introduction of the 2025 BMW M5 Touring. This longroof version of the M5 sports sedan adds a lot more cargo space to the mix but sticks with the same plug-in-hybrid powertrain as the four-door.That powertrain makes 717 horsepower and consists of a 577-hp twin-turbocharged V-8 engine and a 194-hp electric motor. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission are both standard. The all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased and can be switched off, leaving the M5 Touring a rear-drive car.Much has already been said of the new-generation M5’s weight gain, which at 5390 pounds is over 1100 pounds above the previous-generation sedan’s curb weight. The Touring will be even heavier; BMW reports an estimated 5530 pounds. Nonetheless, there’s no denying that both of these M cars are gonna rip. BMW estimates a 3.5-second time to 60 mph for the M5 Touring, just a tenth of a second slower than the M5 sedan. Top speed is limited to 155 mph in the standard car, but with the optional M Driver’s package it is increased to 190 mph.More M5 Madness:We recently had a chance to drive a prototype M5 Touring in Europe and came away impressed by its performance and less worried about its curb weight. Its plug-in-hybrid powertrain delivers a noticeable boost but also enables fuel-free driving for short trips up to around 25 miles. That’ll make it easier to savor the premium octane in the fuel tank when you get to some open tarmac.You’d expect the price for a machine of this nature to be steep, and it is: $122,675, a $2000 premium over the M5 sedan. The M5 Touring’s closest natural rival is the Audi RS6 Avant, which has a similarly high asking price and less horsepower. Plus, the M5 Touring comes with just about every luxury item in BMW’s arsenal: Bowers & Wilkins audio, ambient interior lighting, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, a curved infotainment display with Drive 8.5, a head-up display, native navigation, and a lot more. Customization options through BMW’s Individual program are seemingly endless and include a wide range of exterior colors and some special Merino Metallic leather options for the cabin. Production of the M5 Touring begins later this year, so expect to see them arrive at U.S. dealers in early 2025. In the meantime, join us in daydreaming about a future hi-po wagon comparison test pitting the BMW against the Audi.Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.       More

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    Acura Performance EV Concept Hints at the Company’s Second Electric SUV

    Acura debuted the Performance EV Concept during Monterey Car Week to hint at a new electric SUV that will join the company’s lineup next year.Head of design Dave Marek says the design themes from this concept will be seen across future Acura vehicles.The production version of this concept will be the first EV on Honda’s new EV architecture and built in the company’s new hub for electric-vehicle production in southern Ohio, launching in late 2025.Following closely behind the 2024 ZDX, Acura’s first EV, is this Performance EV Concept that hints at its next one. This is a big deal, because this is the first EV off Honda’s new EV platform developed in-house, whereas the ZDX is built by General Motors and shares its underpinnings with the Cadillac Lyriq. The Performance EV Concept is debuting during Monterey Car Week and will be on display at The Quail as well as the concept lawn during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. No surprise, the concept is a SUV, with a fast roofline that’s closer in appearance to the 2010–2013 ZDX than the new EV that wears that nameplate. The pillars and roof are blacked out to give it a dramatic two-tone effect, and Acura’s head of design, Dave Marek, says that the design themes from the Performance EV Concept, such as the vented hood and the prominent diagonal body-side feature and rounded contouring, will be seen on future Acura vehicles.Acura didn’t release dimensions of the concept, so we’ll have to wait until we see it in person to get a sense of its size. The company says that spelling out A-C-U-R-A across the rear liftgate will be shared by all of the company’s electrified vehicles. Honda is in the middle of a large-scale, $700 million overhaul of its two final-assembly factories in southern Ohio, Marysville (which currently builds the Honda Accord and Acura TLX and Integra) and East Liberty (which produces the Honda CR-V and Acura RDX and MDX), along with its engine plant in nearby Anna, all of which will contribute to building EVs. A joint venture with LG Energy will provide the battery cells to power these EVs, and the production version of this EV concept will be the first one to come from this Ohio hub and will hit the road in late 2025. Dave VanderWerp has spent more than 20 years in the automotive industry, in varied roles from engineering to product consulting, and now leading Car and Driver’s vehicle-testing efforts. Dave got his very lucky start at C/D by happening to submit an unsolicited resume at just the right time to land a part-time road warrior job when he was a student at the University of Michigan, where he immediately became enthralled with the world of automotive journalism. More

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    Tesla Cybertruck Range Extender Expected to Start around $16,000

    Tesla opened reservations for the Cybertruck’s range extender option, which brings the on-paper range of the truck to more than 450 miles.Pricing is listed at an estimated $16,000, with reservations requiring a nonrefundable $500 deposit. Production for the range extender is expected to start next year. Installation must be handled at a service center. Nothing about the Tesla Cybertruck is conventional. From the electric pickup’s looks to its steering technology to its performance, the Cybertruck defies tradition. After dropping the single-motor rear-drive configuration from the lineup (which never actually reached customers’ hands), Tesla has now opened reservations for the Cybertruck’s range extender option.TeslaWhile we know the Beast trim comes equipped with a 123.0-kWh battery, we still don’t know the capacity of the range extender. What we do know is that, according to Tesla’s website, the range extender is capable of adding 120 miles of range to the Beast model and 130 miles for the standard dual motor. Those additions bring the Beast’s estimated range up to 440 miles and the dual-motor truck’s range up to 470 miles. Not quite the 500 miles Tesla originally promised, but certainly not far off. In real-world terms, those figures are likely optimistic. We put a Beast model without the range extender through our standard 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, and it managed a 250-mile result. On the flip side of added range, the extender will hamper the Cybertruck’s practicality by taking up roughly a third of the pickup’s bed space. Despite that, Tesla says the extender can be installed without impacting compatibility with other accessories. Reservations are open now and production is “planned for early 2025,” according to the Tesla website. Tesla lists pricing as an “estimated” $16,000, with reservations requiring a nonrefundable $500 deposit. Installing the extender will require a trip to a Tesla service center, which is likely a safety requirement. More on the Tesla CybertruckJack 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