Motor News

Saudi Arabia is already tightly involved with Lucid Motors, but rumors late last week that the government’s Public Investment Fund wants to buy even more of Lucid’s stock sent the price up 43 percent. It then backtracked a bit over the weekend.The PIF owns over 60 percent of Lucid already and has promised to buy up to 100,000 EVs from the automaker over the next 10 years. Lucid has also announced it will build a plant in Saudi Arabia.Also, last week, Lucid announced that it is providing a 469-hp electric drive unit for all Formula E race cars this season. The EDU includes a motor, inverter, differential, and transmission and will be used to capture braking energy.Even with its vast oil reserves, Saudi Arabia is interested in electric vehicles. Whether it’s a deal with Canoo for fleet vehicles or the Saudi Ceer, an upcoming, home-grown mass-market EV scheduled to arrive in 2025 with help from FoxConn, Saudi Arabia is in the EV game. The country’s relationship with Lucid is well established, and rumors that the Saudi government might increase its investment in the luxury automaker sent the stock price up 43 percent Friday, ending at $12.87.All the Specs and DetailsNothing has been officially announced regarding any such deal, but Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is considering buying out the rest of Lucid’s stock. Lucid’s stock price dropped 4.5 percent over the weekend from the Friday high.Last year, Lucid sold almost 86 million shares to a PIF affiliate for around $915 million. Lucid sold other shares to other groups, but the deal kept the PIF’s overall investment in Lucid steady, at around 62 percent, according to CNBC. Last spring, Saudi Arabia’s government announced it would buy between 50,000 and 100,000 Lucid EVs over the next decade. Lucid also announced it would build its second plant in Saudi Arabia. Last year, Lucid built a total of 7180 vehicles at its only plant in Arizona.Lucid made news of another sort in the all-electric Formula E race series. The company announced that its in-house electric drive unit (EDU), which includes a motor, inverter, differential and transmission and produces up to 469 horsepower, will be used in every Gen3 Formula E race car. Lucid said the EDU would provide regenerative energy recovery from the front wheels. The EDU will not be able to send all 469 horses to power the front wheels due to Formula E regulations, but Lucid has plans for the EDU’s technology beyond Formula E.Actually, in its announcement, Lucid technically didn’t say anything about Formula E. Instead, it said the EDU could be found in the cone of every car in the “world’s leading single-seater electric racing series,” so, well, it’s Formula E. Lucid has a history with the race series, having developed a battery pack that was used in previous Formula E seasons.Lucid is highlighting the high power density of the EDU (6.7 hp per pound) in a unit that weighs just over 70 pounds and can spin up to 19,500 rpm. While not the same unit found in the Lucid Air electric sedan, some technologies, like the proprietary microjet cooling system, are found in both vehicles. “I’m excited by the prospect that some of the technical advancements introduced may, in turn, make their way to future Lucid road cars,” Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson said in a statement. “For Lucid, the transfer of technology between motorsports and road cars is a two-way symbiosis.”Lucid builds each of the Formula E EDUs at its California headquarters. More

Unlike in decades past, there aren’t a ton of cars for sale outside the U.S. that we pine for. The Suzuki Jimny is a notable exception. While we can’t imagine many American buyers would go for such a small off-roader, we can’t help but want one. Unlike compact crossovers like the Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Renegade, the Jimny is a true, old-school off-roader with a ladder chassis and an honest four-wheel drive system.The Jimny EV teaser is seen at the top right.SuzukiThe latest Jimny was a huge hit in Europe, Japan, and elsewhere, and its successor will be electrified. Suzuki announced its roadmap to 2030 on Thursday, and naturally, it includes a lot of hybrids and EVs. The presentation made no specific reference to the new Jimny, but a slide teasing future models for Europe teased what is almost certainly a Jimny EV. Currently, the Jimny uses a 101-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder, though it’s offered with a 660-cc turbo three-cylinder in Japan to comply with kei-car regulations. Suzuki recently launched a five-door version of the Jimny, which will be built by the company’s Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki. While a five-door, electric Jimny has a much broader appeal than an underpowered three-door, don’t expect to see it come to America. Suzuki says it will focus on Europe, Japan, India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Notably, the slides from its presentation indicate that Suzuki will only sell the Jimny EV in Europe. Instead, they’ll get an electric version of the Hustler, a Jimny-inspired crossover. 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. More

BMW and battery developer Solid Power expand plans to collaborate on solid-state battery technology, with plans to begin testing vehicles will these cells in 2023. The automaker is preparing to build a prototype line in its Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Germany to test solid-state battery production.BMW says a working prototype with solid-state batteries will be presented before 2025, but market launch timing remains fluid for now.Several automakers and tech startups have been working on solid-state battery technology, with the promise of lighter weight and longer range in EVs being just two of the benefits. The race to offer solid-state batteries in production vehicles is arguably the single most important one when it comes to EV technology in this decade, with a number of developers pursuing different battery compositions, and working to scale them up from the lab to the production line.Battery developer Solid Power, backed by Ford and BMW, is working on using a sulfide-based solid electrolyte in place of the traditional liquid electrolyte in its battery design, with the same aim of offering a lighter battery and a higher energy density, compared to traditional lithium-ion designs.BMW revealed this week that Solid Power plans to deliver full-scale automotive cells for testing this year. The two companies have also expanded their joint development agreement, allowing BMW to build a prototype line in its Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) located in Parsdorf, Germany, near Munich. This expanded agreement will allow BMW and Solid Power to perform cell development and manufacturing activities at locations owned by both companies.Before the prototype manufacturing line gets rolling, BMW Group staff will work with the startup’s engineers to fine tune cell manufacturing processes. The automaker says a demonstrator vehicle with a solid-state battery on board will appear before 2025.”Expanding our relationship with BMW is further evidence that both companies believe in Solid Power’s technology development and the value of solid-state batteries,” said David Jansen, interim CEO, president, and chair of Solid Power.Other German automakers are also in the race, with Mercedes-Benz backing solid-state startup Factorial Energy, based in Boston and also backed by Stellantis and Hyundai, as well as solid-state developer ProLogium. Battery ProgressSolid Power has been developing sulfide-based solid electrolytes at a pilot scale, but they will soon be ready for testing in actual cars.Solid PowerBut BMW’s Neue Klasse EVs, due in 2025, won’t immediately benefit from solid-state tech. The automaker plans to introduce the next generation of cylindrical lithium-ion cells, dubbed Gen6, in Neue Klasse models, promising a 30 percent improvement in range in the WLTP cycle. So solid-state batteries aren’t quite around the corner by BMW’s estimates, even though the automaker will begin testing them in prototypes later this year.”The new BMW round cells come with a diameter of 46 millimeters and two different heights of 95 mm and 120 mm,” the automaker said in regard to its next-gen lithium-ion cells. “Compared to the prismatic cells of the fifth BMW battery cell generation, the cell’s volumetric energy density will improve by more than 20 percent.”However, BMW has refrained from predicting just when we’ll see solid-state batteries in its production cars, including the Neue Klasse models. BMW expects that before 2030, 50 percent of its sales will come from battery-electric models, but whether most of these will be its next-gen lithium-ion designs or solid-state compositions remains to be seen. BMW certainly knows other automakers also want to be the first to offer this technology in their cars.But Solid Power has a more definitive estimate, indicating it expects to scale its electrolyte production by 2028 to power 800,000 vehicles annually.”BMW remains committed to the pursuit of all-solid-state batteries, a technology which we believe has significant potential for the future,” said Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management for BMW, Development. More

EV charging rates are often referred to by their simple Level 1 (120V), Level 2 (240V), and Level 3 (400V and up DC) classifications, but within those categories can be a wide span of charging rates. Level 2, for example, can range from a 6.0-kW ChargePoint hookup you might encounter in a parking garage to the maximum rate of 19.2 kW. If you own an EV, you want to be charging at home as much as possible; it’s more convenient and far cheaper that way. And we think the sweet spot is the ability to recharge your vehicle’s battery roughly overnight: call it in 10 to 12 hours or so. For many EVs with moderate-size battery packs, this is possible with mainstream home-charging options, such as the ones featured in this roundup. But for vehicles with larger packs, such as the 131.0-kWh Ford F-150 Lightning, the 128.9-kWh Rivian R1S or R1T, or the 112.0-kWh Lucid Air, you’ll need substantially more juice for anything close to an overnight charge. For example, the charge time for a Lightning using a 6.0-kW outlet is roughly 24 hours, and a Hummer EV with its gigantic 212.7-kWh pack would take almost 40 hours. How Charge Rates and Times Are CalculatedA quick refresher: The rate is simply the power output, or voltage times current, e.g., 240 volts and 40 amps equal an output of 9600 watts, or 9.6 kilowatts. And an electrical circuit can run continuously at 80 percent of its rated capability, so a 50-amp, 240-volt circuit is required to be able to charge at 40 amps or 9.6 kW. To estimate an EV’s charge time, take the battery capacity, add 10 percent for losses, and divide by the charge rate.All About EV ChargingThe long charge times with some of these latest big-battery EVs on the 6.0-kW ChargePoint units we have at our office caused us to search out a replacement for the two Tesla Wall Connectors we also have at our office, both of which were wired to support 19.2-kW charging on the Model S, an option Tesla has long since discontinued. While we’ve used a Tesla-to-J1772 adapter to charge non-Tesla EVs, that connector is only rated for charging at half the 19.2-kW maximum. We landed on the Porsche Wall Connector, which sells for $1586. Expensive, yes, but there aren’t that many options for the fastest Level 2 charging. Ford’s Charge Station Pro goes for $1310, Lucid’s Connected Home Charging Station for $1200—both which support bidirectional charging. Clipper Creek is the rare third-party choice, and it goes for $2195. And the Porsche unit is the only one with a display on it, the same 5.0-inch touchscreen interface found on Porsche’s optional portable charging equipment, which is a $1120 option when purchasing a Taycan.Car and DriverWe were hoping we’d be able to view our charging remotely through the My Porsche app, but it turns out you have to be charging a Porsche that’s in your account to do so. We instead view the energy use on the screen to track EVs’ efficiency and can look back through previous charging activity if necessary. There’s also the possibility of connecting to the charging unit’s own hotspot to view activity, although we haven’t yet been successful in making that work. Try This at Home?To be able to charge at the maximum 19.2-kW rate, three things must align: your house must have a dedicated 100-amp circuit for EV charging, your charging equipment has to have the capability, and the vehicle must be able to accept it. For example, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, our 2022 EV of the Year, has a 10.9-kW onboard charger. So, it can’t charge at a higher rate than that on a Level 2 outlet no matter what charging equipment is installed. To be able to charge a Porsche Taycan at the maximum rate, you have to select the $1680 option for the 19.2-kW onboard charger when ordering, or there’s the possibility to retrofit it later. But, when all of these things align, the charge times are impressive: a Taycan with the large pack can be charged from empty to full in under five hours, a Lucid Air in about 6.5 hours, and a F-150 Lightning or Rivian R1S or R1T in about 7.5 hours. More

You may have heard of Let’s Make a Deal from the famous Monty Hall problem, a statistics brain teaser loosely based on the game’s format and named after its original host. That problem historically involves a contestant picking one of three possible doors, behind which could be a dream car—or a goat. Starting Monday, Let’s Make a Deal is kicking off its Fabulous Car Week, wherein one featured luxury car is a possible prize each episode. Starting Monday, January 30, and continuing each day until Friday, February 3, those prizes will consist of four luxury crossover SUVs and one luxury sedan. Here are the details on each one.Monday, January 30: Audi Q5, $57,000 (est.)Starting off on Monday, contestants on Let’s Make a Deal—or traders, as they are referred to on the show—will be able to win an Audi Q5. The car will be up for grabs in the game Go for a Spin, with odds getting as high as one in four to win the luxury crossover. At roughly $57,000, this Q5 is likely a nice mid-trim model. We’re glad it isn’t the more cramped Sportback, but we can only hope it comes equipped with the stepped-up 261-hp engine configuration.ALL THE SPECS ON THE Q5Tuesday, January 31: Lexus RX350, $56,000 (est.)The selected trader on Tuesday will compete in the Tic Tac Deal competition in an attempt to win a Lexus RX350. The RX350 starts at a little over $48,000, but a spokesperson from Let’s Make a Deal confirmed the car on the show is worth closer to $56,000. That puts it squarely into RX350 Luxury trim territory, with added luxuries like the larger 14.0-inch infotainment screen and leather upholstery, among other niceties. ALL THE SPECS ON THE RX350Wednesday, February 1: Mercedes-Benz E350, $63,000 (est.)Wednesday’s episode will feature the only non-SUV of the week, with contestants vying for a Mercedes E350 sedan. The 2023 E350 starts at $57,800, but a spokesperson for the show informed us the car they’re showing is worth more than $63,000. Contestants will compete in the Timeline game for a chance at the Merc. ALL THE SPECS ON THE E350 Thursday, February 2: Alfa Romeo Stelvio, $58,000 (est.)Contestants in Thursday’s Car Pong game will have a chance at an Alfa Romeo Stelvio. We were told the car will come in the Veloce trim, landing it in the middle of the lineup between the Ti and Lusso. Features aren’t quite as plentiful as the top two trims, but the furnishings are upscale and come together for an impressive vehicle in such a competitive segment. ALL THE SPECS ON THE STELVIOFriday, February 3: Jaguar F-Pace, $59,000 (est.)Rounding out the week, the feature car for the Friday episode will be the Jaguar F-Pace. It’s got sports-car-inspired handing, a responsive powertrain, and ample cargo room in any trim, but the $59,000 price of this model rules out the sportiest P400 R-Dynamic S trim. Even so, the lower two trim levels come standard with a 246-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Contestants in Friday’s Think Big game are the ones with a chance to drive home with these new wheels. ALL THE SPECS ON THE F-PACE More

The 2023 American motorsports season kicks off this weekend with the 24 Hours of Daytona, the opening round of the IMSA SportsCar Championship schedule and the premier endurance racing event this side of the Atlantic. The grueling race will see Acura, Cadillac, Porsche, and BMW battling in the top class for overall victory, with around 50 other cars competing among four lower classes for their own shot at a trophy. Along with the action on track, several automakers are here in Daytona Beach, Florida, showing off their latest sports cars. We’ve rounded up all of the must-see vehicles at this year’s 24 Hours of Daytona below.A New Corvette Race CarElana Scherr|Car and DriverThe Chevrolet Corvette is already competing in this year’s 24 Hours of Daytona in the form of the Corvette C8.R GTD, but the bow-tie brand is also using the event to show off an updated version of the race car. Called the Corvette Z06 GT3.R and first revealed in 2021, the new track missile conforms to the FIA’s GT3 technical regulations and will make its debut at next year’s 24 Hours of Daytona. Power comes from a flat-plane-crank DOHC 5.5-liter V-8 that shares over 70 percent of its components with the engine in the road-legal Z06, originating on the same production line in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Z06 GT3.R also gains a stronger crash structure and revised cooling, aerodynamics, and suspension. The race car’s bodywork also mimics that of the standard Z06. Acura Integra Type SWe already drove a prototype version of the 2024 Acura Integra Type S last year in Japan, but the high-performance Acura will make its North American debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona. While it will still be wearing a dazzling camouflage wrap, the Type S will serve as the lead vehicle at the start of the race, along with behind displayed in the paddock at Daytona International Speedway. The Integra Type S will be officially unveiled this summer, but we already know that it will use a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with over 300 horsepower, mated to a six-speed manual transmission and routing the power through a limited-slip differential.BMW M3 CSThis content is imported from Tiktok. 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.BMW just revealed the M3 CS, a more hardcore version of the venerable sports sedan, earlier this week. Now the M3 CS is making its first public appearance at the 24 Hours of Daytona, where BMW is competing in the top GTP class with the M Hybrid V8 and in the lower GTD with the M4 GT3. The M3 CS brings an extra 40 horsepower over the 503 ponies in the M3 Competition while also shedding about 75 pounds. Other highlights of the limited-production M3 include Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 high-performance tires, a no-cost option, and the lurid Signal Green paint.The Race, of Course!The biggest attraction of all is the race itself. The 2023 season sees new regulations for the top class of race cars, which is renamed GTP. Acura and Cadillac return, while BMW and Porsche have now developed their own entries, and nine GTP cars will challenge for top honors. Behind them are four more classes: LMP2 and LMP3 use prototype race cars while GTD Pro and GTD use touring cars. The race field also features several big names in the world of motorsports, from six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and two-time champ Josef Newgarden to former F1 driver Romain Grosjean and reigning Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric. The race kicks off at 1:40 p.m. ET tomorrow and ends at the same time on Sunday, with coverage on NBC and USA Network and streaming on Peacock. More

Ford is recalling 382,759 SUVs because their backup cameras could malfunction, preventing the image from showing.Included are 2020 through 2023 models of the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator and the 2020–2022 Lincoln Corsair.Ford says the problem affects the 360-degree camera system, not the standard rearview camera, and could cause an intermittent failure that shows only a blue image on the Sync infotainment screen. Ford has filed recall documents with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over a problem with the video feed in its 360-degree rearview camera system. The problem affects the 2020–2022 Lincoln Corsair and 2020–2023 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer. According to the recall report, the problem can happen intermittently and cause a blank blue screen.The majority of affected vehicles (279,700) are Ford Explorers built between October 19, 2018, and January 3, 2023.Ford reported 2115 warranty claims of blue images on the rearview camera as of November 30, 2022, and said it is aware of 17 “minor accidents allegedly resulting” from the blue-screen problem but no reports of related injuries. 2020 Lincoln Corsair.Owners of the subject vehicles will be notified starting February 20, Ford said, and dealers will update the camera system’s image processing module software free of charge. In the meantime, owners of one of these SUVs can check the NHTSA recalls site to see if their vehicle is included or to get more details. Other Recent Recalls More

NBC Universal has canceled Jay Leno’s reality television series after seven seasons, The Hollywood Reporter reports. Speaking with unnamed sources from within CNBC, The Hollywood Reporter says the cancellation of Jay Leno’s Garage comes amid a “larger schedule shift” within the channel that will see primetime slots filled with reruns of more popular reality shows like Shark Tank and Undercover Boss, plus original business documentaries sprinkled in.The Hollywood Reporter doesn’t mention whether the cancellation of Leno’s television show will affect the identically named YouTube channel, which follows a simpler format that usually includes one car that Jay showcases. There’s no indication the channel’s weekly publishing format will change. The television show was a bit more complex than Leno’s YouTube series. In addition to showcasing the comedian’s massive collection of cars, the show hosted famous guests like president Joe Biden and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The program also featured stunts like drag racing to keep audiences entertained. The news of the show’s cancelation comes just one week after Leno, 72, suffered multiple broken bones due to a motorcycle crash. Back in November, Leno suffered severe burns to his face and arms while working on a steam car, and had to be admitted to a hospital, but made a full recovery. More