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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

Kia and Hyundai are the defendants in a new lawsuit with the City of Seattle, which filed a complaint in federal court against the companies for failing to install adequate anti-theft technology in some of their cars.Cities across the U.S. have seen a sharp rise in the number of Kia and Hyundai vehicles stolen over the past two years, in part aided by a popular TikTok trend. As a result of the increased thefts, some major insurance providers such as Progressive or State Farm are reportedly refusing to cover affected vehicles in select cities. Kia and Hyundai continue to feel the effects of the TikTok trend made popular by the so-called “Kia Boyz,” which launched an ongoing spike in thefts of vehicles produced by either brand. Vehicles from those manufacturers specifically are targeted because many of their older vehicles lack a critical anti-theft device known as an engine immobilizer, and thieves know they can break rear windows without triggering an alarm system. Thefts have become so commonplace that there are reports some major insurance providers are refusing to open new policies on affected Kias and Hyundais, while some drivers with existing coverage are paying higher and higher premiums. One resident of a St. Louis suburb began shopping for a new insurance provider when the six-month Geico premium for his 2020 Hyundai Elantra went up by about $200 when he renewed the policy in December—from roughly $600 to $800—according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. That same St. Louis resident was denied coverage by Progressive and quoted up to $350 per month by another provider. Denying coverage or upping the price is becoming the common solution for many insurance agencies. Progressive generates an automatic denial message when Hyundai and Kia owners apply for an online quote in St. Louis and other disproportionately affected areas, according to a Progressive spokesperson speaking to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The same report notes that instead of blanket denials, Nationwide and Geico have opted to raise driver premiums on those makes and models.You may recall from when we covered the issue in the fall that both manufacturers began processes to limit thefts. Kia and Hyundai both are supplying local law enforcement agencies to offer steering wheel locks, and Hyundai began selling Firstech/Compustar security kits, which add immobilizers to vehicles without them. Both companies also made immobilizers standard, with Hyundai making the switch for all vehicles produced as of November 2021, and Kia making the switch for all 2022 model vehicles. In Lighter Kia/Hyundai NewsBut theft rates have continued to rise, with owners left hoping for a more aggressively useful response from the manufacturers, and a few municipalities are taking the companies to the courts over the issue. Last August, city leaders of St. Louis threatened to sue the brands after the number of Kia and Hyundai theft incidents increased to about 23 per day in August, according to the Post-Dispatch. Seattle took things one step further, filing a complaint in federal court against Kia and Hyundai for failing to install adequate anti-theft technology in some of their cars.”From last July to this July, we saw a 625 percent increase in Kias and Hyundais stolen in the City of Seattle,” said Seattle city attorney Ann Davison, as reported by Fox 13 Seattle. Davison said the thefts have become a public nuisance and accused both companies of knowingly cutting corners. Ultimately, Davison said she hopes for a widespread recall from each company, which would force the manufacturers to fund the fix and (hopefully) dissuade thieves from continuing to target the vehicles. We reached out to both Hyundai and Kia for comment on the increased pressure from both customers and insurance companies, as well as the new lawsuit. Their responses follow.”Hyundai believes this lawsuit is improper and unnecessary. In response to increasing thefts targeting our vehicles without push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices in the United States, Hyundai Motor America has made engine immobilizers standard on all vehicles produced as of November 2021. Additionally, Hyundai has taken a series of actions to deter thefts of affected vehicles, including an upcoming software update scheduled to be available beginning next month and provided at no cost to customers. “Hyundai is also providing free steering wheel locks, as available, to select law enforcement agencies across the country, including in the Seattle area, for distribution to local residents who own or lease affected models. Owners may also bring their vehicles to a local Hyundai dealer for the purchase and installation of a customized security kit. We apologize for the inconvenience to affected customers.” Kia offered a similar response, though the company noted that its policy is not to comment on pending litigation. “Kia remains concerned that criminal actors are targeting certain Kia cars with a steel key and ‘turn-to-start’ ignition systems. Kia continues to make steering wheel locks available to customers through interested local law enforcement agencies, subject to available supply, at no cost to concerned owners of these vehicles.”Kia also continues its efforts to develop additional solutions for vehicles not originally equipped with an immobilizer, including the development and testing of enhanced security software designed to restrict operation of the vehicle’s ignition system. Kia has started notifying owners of certain models of the availability of this software upgrade at no cost, and Kia anticipates that it will make software upgrades available for most affected vehicles over the next few months.”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

Jay Leno broke several bones in a motorcycle crash earlier this month, as revealed in an interview with the comedian yesterday by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.Leno said he was riding a vintage 1940 Indian motorcycle when he got unexpectedly clotheslined in a parking lot and knocked off the bike.The accident happened not long after Leno was seriously burned by a car fire in November.Jay Leno has been a lucky man, spending years as a successful late-night talk-show host and stand-up comedian as well as focusing on his passion as an automotive enthusiast and hosting his own related TV show. Unfortunately, Leno has run into a string of bad luck of late, including two bad accidents that have sent him to the hospital. The most recent incident, he revealed in an interview, happened on January 17 when he crashed a vintage motorcycle and broke several bones.Leno yesterday spoke to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and confirmed that he was okay. The 72-year-old also shared the story of the crash, which he said happened while he was riding a 1940 Indian motorcycle. “So I turned down a side street and cut through a parking lot, and unbeknownst to me, some guy had a wire strung across the parking lot but with no flag hanging from it,” Leno told the Review-Journal. “So, you know, I didn’t see it until it was too late. It just clotheslined me and, boom, knocked me off the bike.”This video from the popular Jay Leno’s Garage series features Leno showing his 1940 Indian Four with a sidecar—”a good old girl,” as Leno called it—which may or may not be the bike on which he had the accident, but which is part of his extensive vehicle collection. This content is imported from youTube. 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.1940 Indian Four with the Sidecar – Jay Leno’s GarageWatch onThe motorcycle crash comes only a couple of months after Leno was seriously burned by a car. That incident, too, involved a vintage vehicle—a 1907 White Model G steam car. Leno was released from the hospital in late November after a 10-day stay and said at that time that he would continue outpatient treatment to recover from burns.This content is imported from youTube. 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

The Audi Activesphere is the latest in a series of “Sphere” concepts, and takes the shape of an off-road-oriented crossover with a coupe-like roofline. The highlight is the cabin, which uses augmented reality for all of the vehicle controls—like navigation, climate, and entertainment—instead of a screen.Another cool feature on the Activesphere is the split tailgate, which sees the rear glass slide upwards to turn the cargo area into an exposed bed for hauling bikes and other gear.The Audi Activesphere concept blurs the lines between automotive segments, combining a sloping, carlike roofline with a decidedly SUV-esque stance and ride height. The fourth in Audi’s series of “Sphere” concepts—after the Skysphere roadster, Grandsphere sedan, and Urbansphere minivan—the Activesphere imagines a smoothly styled crossover that supports an outdoorsy lifestyle and shows off new technologies that Audi hopes to implement in the coming decades. Like its conceptual companions, the Activesphere is electric, riding on the PPE platform that will underpin the upcoming A6 e-tron as well as Porsche’s electric Macan. A 100.0-kWh battery provides over 370 miles of range, and electric motors on the front and rear axles combine for 436 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. PPE also brings 800-volt electrical architecture, allowing the battery to add around 186 miles of range in 10 minutes at 270 kW. Audi also claims the battery can go from 5 to 80 percent in under 25 minutes. The Activesphere stretches nearly as long as a gas-powered Audi Q8, but it’s 3.0 inches wider, stands about 4.0 inches less tall, and has a 1.0-inch shorter wheelbase. The concept rides on an air suspension with adaptive dampers and 22-inch wheels wrapped in 285/55 tires designed to tackle a variety of terrains. The wheels feature active aero—opening up when off-roading for cooling and closing when on pavement to improve efficiency. Cameras replace traditional sideview mirrors to decrease drag, boosting range.The focus on off-road exploration led to a see-through interpretation of the “Singleframe” grille that has adorned Audis over the past two decades, so the driver can better spot obstacles in front of the vehicle. The lower portions of the doors are also glass. The 8.2 inch ride height can be raised by 1.6 inches when leaving the asphalt, and Audi quotes the approach angle at a decent 18.9 degrees while the departure angle is a more versatile 28.1 degrees.One of the Activesphere’s niftiest features is the “active back.” Essentially a split tailgate, the lower section folds down like on a pickup truck while the rear glass slides upwards, turning the cargo area into a small bed which can hold a pair of bicycles. A motorized bulkhead behind the rear seats keeps the cabin enclosed, and a ski rack is integrated into the roof. The Activesphere is the first Audi designed with a split tailgate, but the brand was coy about production feasibility.Audi gets really experimental inside the Activesphere’s cabin. There is still a steering wheel and pedals, but the physical controls fold away when autonomous driving is activated. Straight lines dominate the simple dashboard, which includes a full-width sound bar and air vent. Red trim pops against the black background, and the center console has heated and cooled beverage storage. You may have noticed that the Activesphere bucks the trend of giant touchscreens. That’s because the entire interior is the screen, thanks to the extensive use of augmented reality. Four headsets—stowed in a console in the roof—allow occupants to engage with what the automaker calls the “Audi dimensions.” The system basically layers information and controls over what you can see and physically interact with in the real world—similar to what Iron Man uses to work on his suits in the Marvel films, although you will need to don special glasses and probably aren’t as effortlessly charismatic as Robert Downey Jr.Vehicle status, navigation, and entertainment are all included in the augmented reality interface, and the system tracks the user’s eyes, calling up more detailed information if the user focuses on a certain menu or display. Gesture control allows the user to interact with the virtual controls they are seeing like they would with a physical control, rotating to adjust a dial or tapping to click a button.More Audi EV NewsThe augmented reality can also extend beyond the cabin—when off-roading, a topographical map can be projected onto the surrounding environment, while traffic information, routes, and safety warnings can also be layered onto the driver’s view of the road when commuting. The passengers, meanwhile, can see their own individual feed, adjusting their climate or entertainment settings or researching restaurants or activities for the final destination. Audi also says the headsets can be used outside of the car, either to monitor the vehicle’s condition or when engaging in sports like skiing or biking.While the Activesphere’s exterior design doesn’t look too far-fetched, the sci-fi interior is certainly years—if not decades—away from production. Still, the unorthodox crossover provides a look into Audi’s crystal ball, hinting at what the electrified future of the brand might look like and the technologies Audi is developing that could change the way we use our cars’ interiors. 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