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Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan announced the Lake Michigan Electric Vehicle Circuit this week. The plan is to get enough EV charging stations into the ground to give drivers the opportunity to visit the state’s west coast in zero-emission vehicles and not worry about where they’ll be able to charge the battery.It will take time to get the chargers installed, as the big plan for 2021 is a feasibility study.Last year, the Department of Energy announced it would build up alternative fuel stations along I-94 from Michigan’s border with Canada all the way to Montana.For a decade, most maps showing electric-vehicle-friendly highways and regions of the country have highlighted the East and West Coasts. But a new proposal announced by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week will help turn Michigan into another EV charging hotspot.

It’s called the Lake Michigan Electric Vehicle Circuit, and the idea is to build enough EV charging stations on Michigan’s western coast that electric-vehicle owners will be able to drive up the shore as well as reach “attractions, lighthouses, parks and local businesses” without worry about where they will recharge. Whitmer called the Circuit “the best new road trip for electric vehicle owners in America” when she made the announcement at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference, according to the Detroit News.”The circuit is going to entice residents and travelers to explore our incredible coastal communities and amenities while using clean energy, cutting pollution, and helping to protect our air and water,” Whitmer said, according to the News.

It will take time for the Circuit to become a reality, though. The announcement may have happened this week, but the next step is to conduct a feasibility study this year and then, in the coming years, to determine how best to spend money installing the chargers in the right places. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy program will provide $1.25 million in initial funds to build out the network. The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity will also invest up to $5 million as it works with outside organizations on training workers who are prepared for a growing number of electric vehicles on Michigan roads.

U.S. Department of Energy

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s alternative fueling station locator, there are 608 EV Level 2 charging station locations in Michigan, with 1227 total ports. There are also 148 DC fast-charge stations, with 388 ports, in Michigan. Twenty-six of those stations, with 224 ports, belong to the Tesla Supercharger network. Most of the public fast chargers are located in or near Michigan’s cities, including Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing, with around a dozen near the Lake Michigan coast.

Michigan Governor Whitmer at Motor Bella in Detroit, September 2021.
Michigan.gov

Governor Whitmer’s announcement isn’t the only way Michigan is getting more EV chargers and alternative fuel stations. Last year, the Department of Energy and partners announced the Michigan to Montana I-94 Alternative Fuel Corridor, known as M2M, which will stretch 1500 miles along Interstate 94 starting at the Canadian border in Port Huron, Michigan, and continuing all the way to Billings, Montana. The M2M will include EV charging stations as well as stations offering CNG, biofuel, and propane autogas. Adding hydrogen stations in the future is also part of the discussion.
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The Ford Mustang Mach-E has passed the Michigan State Police test to see if it is eligible to be rolled into the fleet.The Michigan State Police put Ford’s Mustang Mach-E through a battery of tests to evaluate everything from its vehicle dynamics to its ergonomics.A police-ready version of the Mach-E has already been rolled out for the United Kingdom.A Ford Pro electric police pilot vehicle based on the Ford Mustang Mach-E has passed rigorous Michigan State Police testing, the first battery-electric vehicle to do so. There’s no word yet if this means the Mustang Mach-E will roll into the police fleet. Ford also has yet to mention the differences between the Mustang Mach-E that Ford sent in for police work and the standard-issue Mach-E. Results of the 2022 round of testing, which took place September 18 and 20, will be published in detail later this fall, Ford said.The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first jump into a mass-market EV, which means it was only a matter of time before it was considered for use in a police force. Ford recently debuted a police-ready variant of the Mustang Mach-E in the U.K., so it probably isn’t a surprise that state police in the U.S. are also pursuing the idea. It’s perhaps even less surprising that the folks testing Ford’s latest are the Michigan State Police.

Rod Kirkpatrick/F Stop Press/Immediate Network

Looking over last year’s Michigan State Police 2021 Model Year Police Evaluation, it looks like this Mustang Mach-E will run through various tests ranging from standard acceleration, top speed, braking, and high-speed pursuit to vehicle dynamics evaluations and ergonomic tests.
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As companies begin to bow out of internal-combustion-engine development, it is probably only a matter of time before EVs become common on your local streets. That also means police departments can be expected to switch to electric power, although that may happen slowly.
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Terrific engines can’t save terrible cars. And yet, there are times when truly good powerplants find their way into utterly awful things on four wheels. This week’s episode of Window Shopping—Car and Driver’s answer to Match Game—goes deep into the world of solid power production units dumped into garbage vehicles. It’s a challenge derived from a suggestion from a Window Shopping viewer. This week’s cast of cast-offs and castaways includes the intrepid KC Colwell, the insouciant Jonathan Ramsey, the percolating Joey Capparella, and Road & Track all-star John Pearley Huffman. Your host is the Tony Quiroga. (That’s Key Roh Gah.) Any way you say it, he’s his generation’s Gene Rayburn.Join us for what is among the most entertaining Zoom calls on YouTube. Our parents like it, and so will you.

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Jeep announced that its new Xtreme Recon package will be offered on the 2022 Wrangler Willys. The off-road package had previously been available only on Rubicon models, which start at least $3000 higher than the Willys.So equipped, the Wrangler will be a stronger competitor to the Ford Bronco with its much-hyped Sasquatch package.Production of the 2022 Wrangler Willys with the Xtreme Recon package starts at the end of the year, but prospective buyers can order it starting next month.Burly 35-inch tires and a 1.5-inch suspension lift are the highlights of the Jeep Wrangler’s Xtreme Recon package, which became available on the top-spec Rubicon and Rubicon 392 models earlier this year. For 2022, that option becomes available on the more affordably priced Jeep Wrangler Willys, giving the Wrangler another variant to battle against the Ford Bronco with its Sasquatch package, which also includes 35s direct from the factory.

In Jeep’s Xtreme Recon package, BFGoodrich K02 all-terrain rubber is mounted on 17-by-8.0-inch beadlock-capable wheels. Other elements of the package include a 4.56:1 rear axle, upgraded brakes, and a reinforced swing gate (to handle the weight of the rear-mounted spare). With it, the Wrangler claims best-in-class approach angle (47.4 degrees), departure angle (40.4 degrees), ground clearance (12.9 inches), and water-fording capability (33.6 inches).

Stellantis

The 2022 Wrangler Willys starts at $40,930, which is some $3000 less than a Rubicon. The 2021 Ford Bronco base model with the $4995 Sasquatch package added costs $37,380. The Xtreme Recon package costs $3995 and is available to order beginning in October, with production of 2022 Wrangler Willys models so equipped set to start in December.
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Michael Simari/Car and Driver

Tesla Autopilot in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles will now detect emergency lights at night in most circumstances, and will slow vehicle down.NHTSA recently launched a probe into a number of Tesla model crashes into parked emergency vehicles.Tesla warns that Autopilot may still not detect emergency lights in all circumstances.A few weeks after NHTSA launched an investigation into Tesla crashes into emergency vehicles, the automaker says that its Autopilot driver assist system can now detect emergency lights and slow down the vehicle. But only at night.The updated functionality was rolled out quite unexpectedly and was not announced by the automaker, but rather spotted by Twitter user Analytic.eth in the revised vehicle manuals.
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“If Model3/ModelY detects lights from an emergency vehicle when using Autosteer at night on a high speed road, the driving speed is automatically reduced and the touchscreen displays a message informing you of the slowdown,” a recently updated version of the driver’s manual now states. “You will also hear a chime and see a reminder to keep your hands on the steering wheel. When the light detections pass by or cease to appear, Autopilot resumes your cruising speed. Alternatively, you may tap the accelerator to resume your cruising speed.”

It’s worth noting that this functionality was added only after NHTSA launched an investigation into Tesla crashes into police and fire vehicles, suggesting that it may have been planned for some time, and that it’s also confined to the nighttime. Of course, not all Tesla crashes into emergency vehicles occurred at night, and Tesla does not elaborate just how dark it has to be outside for this functionality to kick in. This could be a bit of an issue since the majority of highway crashes or even traffic stops don’t happen at night—they happen during daytime, morning, and evening hours. But also, emergency light usage at night is far easier to spot by a human driver in the first place, from up to several miles away. So this is an improvement, but not one that can be taken advantage of during the hours when most emergency vehicle responses or traffic stops occur on highways. Tesla does note that the Model 3 and Model Y might still not detect other vehicles’ emergency lights in absolutely all situations, reiterating that Tesla drivers should keep their eyes on the road.Tesla also did not elaborate if the emergency lights had to flicker, or operate in a strobing mode, in order for Autopilot to detect them at night. For instance, emergency light bars (which are mostly LED at the moment) could simply be illuminated in a continuous mode, thus indistinguishable from taillights of other cars. So it could be the case that an emergency vehicle could be parked on the side of the road with the light bar on in a continuous mode, but might not be detected as such by Autopilot’s sensors. The number of modes that current LED lightbars use is actually pretty extensive.The nighttime limitation could be intentional, as in the daytime there could be too many light flickering effects with the sun reflecting off various surfaces to produce too many false positives.This is unlikely to be the last time we hear about semi-autonomous systems and emergency vehicles, as all developers of such systems are working on ways to address vehicle responses to different types of lights, from traffic lights to turn signals on cars via different methods, including V2V communication.

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For the Ram 1500 TRX’s second model year, Ram is adding a limited Ignition Edition that finished the 702-hp off-road pickup in a bright orange with unique bedside graphics. It’s reserved for 875 trucks, and it includes the highly equipped level 2 equipment package and orange trim in the interior. The 2022 1500 TRX Ignition Edition will be on sale at the end of the year starting at $93,280. The Ram 1500 TRX is entering its second model year with a new Ignition Edition package that gives the 702-hp off-road pickup a blazing new orange paint job and other citrus-colored accents.

Ram

These Ram 1500 TRX trucks come equipped with the TRX’s level 2 equipment package, a $7,920 option that includes things such as a leather and suede flat-bottom steering wheel, cooled front- and second-row seats, and other niceties. The Ignition Edition trucks are finished in Ignition orange with unique bedside graphics and equipped with 18-inch machine face black wheels. Their interior features Copperhead orange stitching, copper carbon-fiber accents, an orange center console badge, and orange Ram logos on the floor mats. The TRX in the driver’s screen is also finished in Ignition orange.

A Hellcat supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 powers the 1500 TRX, and it produces 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. In Car and Driver testing, the TRX reached 60 mph in 3.7 seconds on its way to a 12.3-second quarter mile at 110 mph, making it the quickest pickup truck we’ve ever tested. The 2022 1500 TRX Ignition Edition is limited to just 875 trucks, and Ram says they’ll be on sale starting at the end of the year. Pricing starts at $93,280, which is nearly $20,000 more than the TRX’s base price.
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Porsche is about to turn the 718 into a fully electric sports car that will go on sale in the U.S. in 2025.There will be a lot more overlap with the 911, but since the cars will have fundamentally different propulsion technologies, Porsche is not concerned about cannibalization. More powerful versions of this future 718 will have a front motor, making the electric 718 the first all-wheel-drive version of the nameplate. A few months ago, we speculated on Porsche’s plans to turn the 718 into a fully electric car. Now we have gathered additional material from different sources within and outside the company. Not only did we get confirmation that it will be a full battery-electric vehicle, we also gathered that it will be fundamentally detached from the 911—which, we learned, will retain its combustion engine beyond 2030 and may not even become hybridized.

The 718 will continue to be sold in both Boxster and Cayman form. And while the last word has not been spoken, it is almost 100 percent certain that the Boxster will retain its fabric top instead of moving to a fixed-roof solution. Its body style will remain relatively close to the current models, but it will feature Porsche’s new “electric front” with wider headlights, just like on the Taycan. The next 718’s design has just been previewed by the Mission R concept car at the Munich IAA auto show. Without the wild aero, and scaled down in its aggressive demeanor, the Mission R gives a good idea of what a production 718 Cayman could look like.We haven’t seen the interior yet, but we are assured it will be the brand’s most futuristic yet, more forward-looking than the Taycan and a massive leap from the conservatively styled current 718 cockpit. In designing the user interface, Porsche is keeping the customer base in mind: In China, the most important market, the average age of a 718 buyer is just 31. We are told, “This will be the most modern Porsche.”Sports-car fans have been concerned that an electric 718 could become excessively heavy; a Taycan, after all, comes in between 4568 pounds for the entry-level model with the small battery and 5199 pounds for the Turbo S Cross Turismo, despite its not-exactly-spacious package. The 718, on the other hand, will be almost a miracle of lightweight technology: The internal target weight is under 3650 pounds.

Porsche Mission R concept.
Porsche

Porsche achieves this by putting the 718 onto a newly developed sports-car platform that is said to be far more than a shortened version of the PPE platform. Economies of scale will be realized with electronics and invisible components, but a lot of components related to dynamics remain unique. Power ratings are still up in the air, but we have learned that the entry-level versions, priced to significantly undercut the 911 and stay within reach of the current 718, will have a rear motor. Higher-powered versions will add a front motor, making the electric 718 the first all-wheel-drive iteration of the nameplate. Like the Mission R concept and unlike the Taycan, the next 718 will get a single-speed drive.Inadequate range is the elephant in the room for EVs, and this is especially true of pleasure machines like the 718. We are told that 250 miles of range is the acceptable minimum and that “more is better.” And Porsche is working hard on increasing both range and charging performance.

In terms of power, the top-level versions will reach well into 911 territory. But Porsche is not concerned about overlap because the choice between the electric 718 and the gasoline-powered 911 will represent fundamentally different technologies. And we expect it to remain that way, since Porsche is not entertaining a scenario in which it would turn the 911 into an EV. Hybrid technology is a no-go for the fully electric new 718, and it is by no means decided for future iterations on the 911, where it would incur a hefty weight penalty. As far as racing is concerned, the Mission R could pave the way for a fully electric racing series, but nothing is decided yet.The next 718, which will most likely keep its name, is slated for a market launch in 2024. It will come to the U.S. as a 2025 model, unless plans are pushed back. The current, gasoline-powered model could be sold alongside the electric one briefly. The duration of its production run will be determined by the upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulation, which could wreak havoc on the further refinement of gasoline engines.
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The Honda Passport has been given a refresh for the 2022 model year, bringing a new front fascia with a bulkier, aggressive grille.The new TrailSport model gets unique bumpers, a smattering of TrailSport badges, and orange stitching throughout the interior.Honda’s suite of driver-assist technology is standard on all models, and all Passports continue to be powered by the 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6.Earlier this month Honda announced that it would launch a new TrailSport trim line focused on off-road performance, and now the first TrailSport model has arrived with the refreshed 2022 Honda Passport. Along with the new all-terrain version, all 2022 Passports gain a revised front fascia, new wheels, and more standard safety tech. The full lineup will be on sale this winter, Honda told Car and Driver.

Honda

Most of the visual changes to the Passport occur ahead of the A-pillars, where the fairly anonymous face of the outgoing model has been replaced by a snarled, bulldog-esque mug that calls to mind the Ridgeline pickup. The rear bumper has been tweaked slightly, and the 2022 Passport will also be available with a HPD accessories package which alters the grille and wheel designs and adds black fender flares and HPD graphics.

Honda

The new Passport TrailSport, the only version of the 2022 Passport that Honda has showed to date, receives a unique grille design, chunky front and rear bumpers, and orange TrailSport badges throughout. The track has been widened by 0.4 inch at the front and rear for increased stability, and the 18-inch wheels are wrapped in TrailSport-specific 245/60R-18 tires. The TrailSport uses Honda’s i-VTM4 torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and Intelligent Traction Management systems to tackle unpaved roads. The interior features orange contrast stitching, TrailSport logos, and amber ambient lighting.

All 2022 Passports continue to be powered by the same 3.5-liter V-6, which makes 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The i-VTM4 torque-vectoring system, which is standard on the TrailSport and Elite, is now optionally available on the EX-L as well. Honda says all Passports now have 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and the EX-L and Elite models have a new 20-inch wheel design. Honda says that the Passport TrailSport is the first in a new series of off-road-focused models and that the future could bring bigger upgrades like beefier tires and a revised suspension.In the interior comfort and safety department, there’s a standard 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, plus the Honda Sensing system of driver-assist features, also standard. A rear-seat reminder will tell drivers to check the rear seat for children, pets, and anything else when turning the crossover off, and a rear seatbelt reminder lets the driver know if the rear passengers aren’t strapping in; both warning systems are standard. The Ridgeline pickup truck is likely to be the next Honda to receive the TrailSport treatment, and the badge could potentially expand to the Pilot and CR-V as well. The TrailSport lineup will compete against Ford’s Timberline for the Explorer and Hyundai’s XRT package for the Santa Fe, both of which are expected to migrate across the automakers’ rosters as well.
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