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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.IIHS crash propulsion system still pulling its weightWatch onIIHS has been crashing vehicles into barricades for decades. Until now, the heaviest vehicle the organization has tested was a 6000-pound Audi e-tron.With heavier electric vehicles on the way, like the 9640-pound Hummer EV, IIHS wanted to make sure it could handle bringing something that heavy up to speed in the crash chamber.To that end, an old Ford F-150 was loaded with concrete and steel and successfully smashed. IIHS, of course, provides the video receipts.After a crash, first responders need to approach electric vehicles differently than internal combustion engine vehicles. But even before a collision happens, people who work with crashed cars are changing their approach.That’s what the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has discovered as it gets ready to crash test some incredibly heavy EVs. In a video posted to YouTube, IIHS explains that it acquired a junked Ford F-150 that could still roll and loaded it up until the total weight hit 9500 pounds. The heavy tests aren’t meant to see what happens when an old F-150 loaded with concrete blocks and heavy steel plates hits a wall at 40 miles per hour (spoiler alert, it’s not pretty), but to make sure that IIHS’s test equipment can handle testing, for example, the GMC Hummer EV, which in our testing measured the scales at a whopping 9640 pounds. The heaviest vehicle IIHS has yet tested was an Audi e-tron that almost hit 6000 pounds.”With electric vehicles coming in and that battery weight pushing vehicle mass higher and higher, we want to be able to know that we can conduct the test here,” Raul Arbelaez, vice preside of vehicle research at IIHS, said in the video. “And if we can’t, we need to make some modifications to our crash machine.”More on the IIHSThe machines IIHS uses tow cables connected to the crash machine to bring the vehicles up to speed before they hit the barrier. IIHS has 600 feet of runway, but when you’re trying to get almost five tons of steel and batteries to 40 mph, you need a robust propulsion system. Based on the video IIHS released, the system works just fine. Stand by for slow-motion videos of a giant, zero-emission beast being torn apart.IIHS has studied the effect of vehicle size and weight on occupant safety for decades. In 2003, automakers entered into a “compatibility agreement” that they would work on improving the safety of smaller vehicles when in a crash with a larger one, especially when it came to front-to-front and front-to-side crashes. The agreement was finally adhered to in 2009, and a 2012 paper noted that the reduction in “car crash partner death rates” for SUVs and pickups had dropped, and that intentional safety efforts in specific areas like this one could lead to “a passenger vehicle fleet that is much more compatible in crashes.”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.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

Mazda has revealed a bit more about the new 2024 CX-90 three-row SUV.We now know that it will be offered with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain, in addition to the previously announced inline-six.A teaser image showing the rear end provides a glimpse of the taillight design and the “e-Skyactiv PHEV” badge.The new 2024 CX-90 three-row SUV will be Mazda’s first plug-in-hybrid model in the U.S. when it debuts next month. The company confirmed that a PHEV option will be offered, in addition to the previously announced inline-six engine, and partially revealed the crossover’s rear end and its “e-Skyactiv PHEV” badge with blue accents.We expect the plug-in-hybrid model to use a similar setup as the Europe-market CX-60, which we drove earlier this year. That SUV, which rides on the same longitudinal platform as the CX-90, has a 2.5-liter inline-four gasoline engine and an electric motor that combine for 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet. A 17.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides a claimed electric-only range of 35 miles, although Mazda does hint that the U.S. version of this powertrain could have slightly different specifications.More on Mazda SUVsFrom what we’ve seen so far, we think the CX-90’s styling will mostly fall in line with Mazda’s current SUV lineup, although the taillight shape looks a bit more angular and modern. Its interior is also likely to be luxurious, as the CX-90 is part of Mazda’s continued push upmarket. The longitudinal platform and inline-six engine will help this new model compete with premium-brand SUVs, as will this PHEV variant that could rival hybrid SUVs such as the BMW X5, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, and Volvo XC90.We’ll find out lots more about the CX-90 when it debuts in January 2023, so stay tuned for more information about this new SUV model.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.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

Subaru announced a recall for certain 2019–2022 Ascent SUVs over an issue relating to a bolt connected to the Postive Temperature Coefficient heater.Subaru warned owners to park affected vehicles away from garages, car ports and other structures until a repair has been completed. The recall has not yet appeared on the NHTSA website, but Subaru gave an official statement here, and plans to contact owners by mail within 60 days. Subaru is issuing a safety recall for certain 2019-2022 Ascent SUVs. In an email to Car and Driver, Subaru confirmed that the recall affects 271,694 vehicles, a figure which will be represented in a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) posting tomorrow. According to Subaru, the issue stems from a ground bolt that secures the ground terminal of the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater being improperly fastened during production. In affected vehicles, the loose bolt increases the chance of the ground terminal melting while the PTC is in use, which could lead to a fire.At the time of issuing the recall, Subaru does not know of any crashes or injuries related to the potential defect. The manufacturer will replace the PTC Heater Ground Bolts at no cost to owners, and may replace the ground wire and connector holder if deemed necessary. According to the statement from Subaru, 0.6 percent of the recalled vehicles will require ground and connector replacement. Until repairs are completed, Subaru is warning owners to park away from garages, car ports and other structures due to the risk of a fire. If owners notice or smell smoke from the dash or the driver’s-side footwell, they are recommended to immediately stop driving and turn the ignition to the “off” position before contacting roadside assistance. This content is imported from OpenWeb. 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

Zeekr, a premium EV subsidiary of Chinese automotive conglomerate Geely, filed for an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange last week, as reported by Reuters.The company is seeking a valuation of more than $10 billion, hoping to raise over $1 billion to fund its expansion into Europe.Zeekr currently sells the 001, a 536-hp electric wagon, and recently revealed the 009 minivan with the same potent powertrain.A new automaker is preparing to debut on the New York Stock Exchange, with Reuters reporting that Zeekr confidentially filed for an initial public offering last week with the goal of raising more than $1 billion. The publication’s sources—which remain unnamed—say that Zeekr is seeking a valuation of over $10 billion. That isn’t even in the same ballpark as the $100 billion initial valuation achieved when Rivian went public in 2021, but it’s still an ambitious figure for a relatively unknown brand. And at this point, you’re probably wondering, “What is a Zeekr anyway?”The Zeekr 001.ZeekrZeekr is a premium EV brand created by Chinese automotive giant Geely, which owns a majority stake in Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus. Geely also controls LEVC, which builds the current iteration of London’s black cabs and Lynk & Co, a Chinese-market brand that previously considered entering the U.S. market. The Zeekr name is apparently derived for the word “geek” and Generation Z, indicating the brand’s focus on technology and aim of capturing a younger customer base.Established in 2021, Zeekr’s first car, the 001, took an unusual wagon-like shape but shared its general design language with the Lynk & Co lineup. The top-of-the-line 001 comes with a dual-motor powertrain with 536 horsepower, allowing the electric wagon to zip to 62 mph in a claimed 3.8 seconds. Two battery sizes are available, but all 001s can travel over 300 miles on a charge on China’s NEDC test cycle, with the rear-wheel-drive version with the larger 100.0-kWh battery capable of 443 miles of range. The rear-drive single-motor version produces 268 hp and takes a more leisurely 6.9 seconds to reach 62 mph. The 001 starts at the equivalent of $42,852 at current exchange rates.The Zeekr 009.GeelyZeekr recently revealed its second model, the blocky 009 minivan, which embarks on a completely new design direction with swanky LED lightning elements and a bold, chunky chrome grille. The 009 uses the same 536-hp powertrain paired with either a 116.0-kWh or 140.0-kWh battery, helping the giant cube reach 62 mph in a claimed 4.5 seconds. The larger battery also provides up to 511 miles of range, and the 009’s cabin is filled with tech and luxury amenities including leather massaging captain’s chairs in the spacious second row. More Unusual EVsThe company’s proposed IPO, which will allegedly occur in New York in the second quarter of 2023, coincides with plans to launch the 001 in Europe next year, as more Chinese automakers expand beyond their homeland’s borders. While Zeekr has stated its intentions to come to North America, the company has yet to lay out the groundwork needed to sell cars stateside. While the company also considered the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, Zeekr also believes it can reach a higher valuation in New York, according to Reuters.Through the first nine months of 2022, Zeekr sold just over 60,000 cars in China—far from the approximately 285,000 Tesla Model Ys sold in the country in the same period, but still a solid start for a young brand. If sales keep up and the European launch is a success, the IPO on the New York Stock Exchange could mark the first step towards Zeekr breaking through into the American market. 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.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

• Designed by Pininfarina and elegant in white, this little French coupe just oozes class.• The Peugeot 204 was France’s bestselling car from 1969-1972, but few coupes survive. This one is a local car, on only its third owner. • For sale at no reserve on Bring a Trailer, this Peugeot’s auction ends December 15.Part of the fun in buying a car from an online auction is the vague air of mystery that goes along with it. The first time you drive your new acquisition, it’ll already be yours—no turning back. Happily, today’s pick from auction site Bring A Trailer comes with some helpful first-hand driving notes, as we’ve just popped across town to take this delightful little Peugeot coupe for a spin.You’ll have to act fast as there are just three days to go, and there’s no reserve for this listing on Bring a Trailer—which like Car and Driver is part of Hearst Autos. Bidding currently sits at just $4000, which is something of a bargain for such a fun and quirky machine.More in French motoringThe Peugeot 204 was launched in 1965 in Paris and quickly became the bestselling car in France. It was a compact front-wheel-drive car, sensibly packaged and available in a number of body styles, including a cabriolet.This 1968 model is a coupe, which rides on a wheelbase slightly shorter than the 204 sedan. The 204 was a Pininfarina design, but a very restrained one. Peugeot is a much more conservative company than rival Citroën, and the 204 was basically France’s Honda Accord. Buying a two-door version meant that you were still respectable, but perhaps wanted to show a little independence.Bring a TrailerBring a TrailerThe small French car everyone is most familiar with is the Citroën 2CV, which is utterly unlike anything from Peugeot. A 2CV is like driving around in the result of a ménage à trois between an umbrella, and accordion, and a lawnmower. Fun, but weird. This 204 coupe is far more dignified. In its day, this cat-faced little coupe would have been a thoroughly refined choice.Now on its third owner, a locally respected collector with an ever-revolving stable of interesting machinery, this Peugeot is an original Victoria car and has always lived in the mild climate of southwestern British Columbia. It has a little wear and tear but is overall a well-preserved and mechanically sound example.Bring a TrailerIts 53-hp 1.1-liter four-cylinder cranked over on the second try, and the car glided away from a rather cramped parking space, wedged between an Intermeccanica Speedster and a double-parked Ural motorcycle and Fiat 600 Jolly.The ride is very French: comfort comes first, and handling comes second. Fifty-three horsepower doesn’t seem much, but the column-mounted shifter is easy to row, and the little Pug’ carries speed well. It’s quite stable as the road widens out and speeds increase, and would be a pleasure on a road trip. Visions of a picnic basket on the backseat and a pleasant companion riding shotgun swim into the imagination.You’d likely have your pick of willing passengers, as this car turned heads and drew smiles all along our drive. Vancouver is crammed with high-dollar machinery (it has one of the most successful Rolls-Royce dealerships in the world), but this vintage French coupe outclasses the lot. Luxury, as Coco Chanel once said, is the opposite of vulgarity, and a 204 Coupe bears the saying out.With some recent mechanical sorting and a host of spares included, this 204 could be the budget-friendly fashion find you’re looking for. This content is imported from OpenWeb. 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