Arguably the most important new global product for the Blue Oval is the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV. Not only is this the first use of the Mustang name on an electric vehicle (not to mention four-door, or SUV), but it’s Ford’s first new global electric vehicle since the afterthought compliance vehicle that was the Focus Electric. In other words, this is one new vehicle Ford can’t afford to screw up here or anywhere, really. Ford is therefore making one small change to the Mustang Mach-E to suit local tastes in the Chinese market—currently the largest EV market in the world.
That change is to the front fascia of the Chinese-market Mustang Mach-E—essentially the Mach-E’s face. While North American and European Mustang Mach-Es (both sourced from Ford’s Cuautitlán Izcalli Mexico plant) will be available with a handful of different fascia designs—from the grille-less look on the Mach-E Select, and Premium, the aero-friendly California Route [...]
Porsche has entered the world of EVs not with an electrified 911, but with the entirely new Taycan, which is neither a 911 nor boring. The Taycan is a blast to drive and currently holds the lap record for a four-door EV at the Nürburgring. More recently, a Taycan piloted by American racing driver Leh Keen lapped Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in 1 minute and 33.88 seconds—you guessed it, setting the lap record there for an EV.
The timed lap was done in early November and was certified by the data-logging mavens at Vbox. The Taycan Turbo S that Keen piloted came wearing Pirelli P Zero NFO Elect tires straight from the factory—some stickier rubber no doubt would have shaved a second (perhaps even more) off of the record time. Turbo S models also come with all the go-fast goodies you can get for the Taycan, including carbon ceramic brakes, active anti-roll bars, and [...]
Hear that gentle hum slowly rising to a steady whine? That’s the forthcoming tsunami of German-developed electric vehicles rushing toward the horizon as part of a global push toward electrification. Across the board, it seems every German automaker is finally shaking the diesel soot from its boots and gearing up sales skirmishes against one another—alongside a full-frontal assault on Tesla. As part of this rising wave, Mercedes-Benz just outlined its timetable for its EQ-line of EVs.
Mercedes-Benz EQ: Crossovers Come FirstWhile Mercedes-Benz’s EQ sub-brand is technically already in production with the EQC, the company’s latest push for EQ is centered around new EVs built on a bespoke platform (as opposed to the EQC’s rejiggered GLC-Class bones), the first of which is already in production ahead of its January 20th debut. This will be our first look at the EQA, an electrified analog to the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Tailing this will be the EQB, an electric [...]
Got a hole in your garage and another one in your wallet? We’ve found a great way to fill the first one with the money pouring out of the second: Ron Patrick’s street-legal, jet-powered Volkswagen New Beetle is up for sale on Craigslist. If you have $550,000 and a few extra gallons of kerosene, you can be the big hit at your local cruise-in!
Patrick built this ultimate rear-engine conversion while he was studying for his PhD in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. His reason for adding a jet to his bug? “In California, new cars have biennial smog inspections so if you modify the engine, it is likely to fail and you won’t be able to drive it on the street. There are some exempt engine modifications, but none that will allow you to add 1,350 horsepower to a new car.”
Why is Ares Design calling their new limited-run retro-roadster Wami Lalique Spyder? Maybe they thought Panther, the name of their Huracán-based DeTomaso Pantera tribute, was just too easy to pronounce. While the Wami Lalique Spyder’s name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue—instead it gets caught up there, flops around a bit, then falls to the floor with a resounding thud—these computerized renderings show the car itself to be a work of mid-century-inspired art.
For those unfamiliar, Ares Design is an Italian concern started by Dany Bahar, best known as the former chief of Lotus, where he implemented a six-model vaporware program then left under a cloud. Ares opened its doors in 2014 and began modifying high-end cars for the super-rich. Project Panther was their most extensive project until the Wami Lalique Spyder was announced.
The shape of the Wami (as we think it ought to be known to [...]
