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Michelin Says Its New Tires Can Increase EV Range
Mar 21Tap to summarizeThe Importance of TiresTires are a vital part of every car; most drivers overlook them as simple rubber that allows the car to move on the road. The fact is, they affect your car more than you know, and using the right kind of tire can actually benefit your driving and ownership experience for the better. One major aspect of tire performance can be traced to efficiency and performance. EVs rely heavily on their tires to eke out as many miles of range as possible. Michelin recognizes this and has launched a new line for more efficiency and another line for performance EVs. Michelin Primacy 5 Energy The French tiremaker wants to capitalize on the increase in EV mobility, and the new technology found in the Primacy 5 Energy caters to those seeking to get the most out of their tires across the board. For starters, this new version is graded A for wet braking performance, and it stops 8% shorter than its predecessor when new and worn up to the 2mm tread depth. Backing up the new tire is the Energy Passive 2.0 technology, which uses functionalized elastomers, a new architecture, and resins to help it last longer. According to Michelin, independent testing has confirmed that the Primacy 5 Energy lasts 40% longer than most competitors.Lastly, the new Primacy 5 Energy also offers improvements in efficiency. Testing has shown it can achieve up to a 6% reduction in fuel consumption and 10% more range for EVs. Michelin Pilot Sport Energy 5The Pilot Sport line from Michelin has been a go-to for those seeking performance-level grip and a dynamic driving feel. Part of Michelin's new push has been to give the Pilot Sport a new dimension of efficiency, introducing the Pilot Sport Energy 5.It was developed using the brand's motorsport background and expertise, resulting in the Dynamic Response Technology and a new Adaptive Grip Compound to deliver improved grip in wet and dry conditions. Rolling resistance is the main enemy of fuel efficiency, so this new tire uses an Energy Passive compound, reducing rolling resistance to levels not usually seen for a sport tire. Finally, sports tires usually wear out more when used on track, but the new Max Touch technology ensures longevity through more even tire wear. Michelin View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article
Transcribe →Jaguar Canceled Four New Cars Before Deciding to Go All-Electric
Mar 21Tap to summarizeBritish luxury brand Jaguar built its final combustion car in December last year, but it didn't necessarily have to be that way. In fact, the company had four new, next-generation cars in the pipeline before it decided to cancel all of them in favor of exclusively producing six-figure EVs. The revelation came through iconic former Jag designer Ian Callum, who worked for the automaker from 1999 to 2019 and was credited with evolving the brand from a company that made BMW and Mercedes alternatives that looked old-school on the day they were released to fresh but distinctive 3 Series and E-Class alternatives that looked modern without losing their sense of tradition. Four Next-Gen Jags Lost As "What-Ifs" We'll Likely Never See Michael Harley/Autoblog Jaguar's last new model was launched in 2018, a year before Callum left, and he wasn't idle in that year. Speaking on the Road to Success podcast, Callum said that he and his successor, Julian Thomson (who left in 2021, for the record), "created quite a lot of new Jaguars before I left" that were "all taken away." What were those, you ask? You can probably guess: replacements for the XF sedan (3 Series fighter), the XJ (S-Class alternative), and the brand's bestseller, the F-Pace SUV. Proof that Jaguar was fairly far along with these can still be found on X (formerly Twitter), where a split headlight design that looked very cat-like was being prepared for the XJ. It's been said that the stillborn electric XJ's platform found its way to the controversial Type 00, and that trying to update this for Jaguar's new goals is part of why it's been so heavily delayed.So the stillborn X360 Jaguar ‘XJ-E’ has leaked. I’m still after the studio launch photos… pic.twitter.com/TrtdnCuOLt— Richard Seddon (@RikSed) November 17, 2024 For those of you keeping count, we've only mentioned three Jags that faced the chopping block. The fourth Jaguar model that was canned was a new F-Type sports car, which was adored by all who drove it, despite its tiny trunk. The cars weren't just being considered by being developed, explained the designer, saying they "were all in the cards, they were all being done." Callum also indicated that he knows why they were dropped in favor of the EV-only plan, but didn't elaborate. "That was all stopped. Just like that," Callum said. Jaguar's Electric Future Is Set in Stone, Callum Likes the Look (Kinda) Jaguar via Top Gear When asked what he thinks about the Type 00, which has only been revealed in concept form (camouflaged prototypes have also been spotted testing), Callum said, "It's a handsome car, it's bold, it's brave, and it's got a lot of good design attributes about it. But it's not beautiful, and Jaguars need to be beautiful." The legendary designer added that it's "just too retro," but regardless of what he or anyone else thinks, Jaguar is plowing ahead, not just with the unusual look, but also with an all-electric powertrain. Rumors of a range-extender powertrain have been shut down by the brand, and despite Jaguar dealers questioning the strategy, there's no adjustment on the horizon.There's also uncertainty in today's Jaguar design department. Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern was supposedly fired from the role last year, and when asked about this rumor, Jaguar responded that his employment had not been terminated, yet did not confirm that he still held the same position. Given that the Type 00 has not been well received by most and that EVs are not as popular as expected, one can't help but wonder if those four stillborn cars should be on sale right now.
Transcribe →Tesla's Most Devoted Fans Are Quietly Walking Away
Mar 21Tap to summarizeTesla never ran traditional ads. It didn't need to. For years, a sprawling army of YouTube creators, Twitter evangelists, and forum regulars did the job for free, driven by genuine belief in what the company was building. That grassroots marketing engine was arguably worth billions. Now it's breaking down, and the people powering it are the ones pulling the plug. Content creators who spent years defending Tesla in comment sections, filming road trip videos, and convincing their audiences to make the switch are stepping back. Some are doing it quietly. Others are being very vocal about why. Tesla Europe & Middle East on X Musk's Politics Changed the MathFor a lot of these influencers, the product and the founder used to feel inseparable in a good way. Elon Musk was the visionary, Tesla was the mission, and supporting one meant supporting the other. That equation no longer holds. Musk's increasingly aggressive presence on X, his political positioning, and the controversy that follows him everywhere have made brand association feel costly in ways it never did before. Influencers aren't activists. But their audiences are paying attention, and being seen as a Tesla booster now carries political undertones that many creators never signed up for. Harassment from both sides has become common. The personal cost of staying loyal has simply gotten too high.Tesla’s FSD Burned CredibilityThen there's FSD. Musk has been promising that true autonomy was right around the corner for nearly a decade. Influencers repeated those promises to their audiences. The technology has improved, but it still requires constant driver supervision and remains, technically, a Level 2 assist system. The name alone is misleading. For creators who staked their reputations on Musk's timelines, years of missed predictions left them looking naive, or, complicit, depending on how you view the situation. Tesla Tesla recently sparked fresh outrage by quietly amending its FSD transfer agreement in ways many customers felt were a bait-and-switch. Each broken promise chips away a little more. With real competition now arriving from Hyundai, Rivian, and others, disillusioned fans have somewhere else to go. And they're taking their audiences with them.
Transcribe →Xiaomi’s Next-Gen SU7 Is So Popular, 15,000 Units Were Sold in Just 34 Minutes
Mar 21Tap to summarizeXiaomi’s EV Play Is No Longer a Side ProjectNot long ago, Xiaomi’s move into cars looked like a side project for a company better known for phones and smart home gadgets. That changed fast– the original SU7 sold really well. The high-performance Ultra version even made headlines by beating established hypercars in controlled tests.Xiaomi has moved past the experimental phase and is now refining what already worked. The new-generation SU7 has been introduced in China, sticking to the same formula – a sleek, tech-focused electric sedan – but adds more performance, smarter features, and a bigger push into premium territory.Xiaomi calls the updated SU7 a “driver’s car for a new era,” with upgrades in safety, driving feel, and cabin comfort. It’s a big claim, but early demand shows buyers are at least interested. Xiaomi 15,000 Units Sold in 34 MinutesXiaomi says it secured 15,000 pre-orders within just 34 minutes of opening reservations. That level of demand isn’t common, even in China’s crowded EV market. It shows Xiaomi’s brand has real pull, and the SU7 already has a following. The new version didn’t need much introduction.The new SU7 starts at 219,900 yuan ($32,000) and tops out at 303,900 yuan ($44,000). That puts it in the premium-but-still-attainable range for buyers looking at high-spec EV sedans. Xiaomi What’s Actually New This TimeThe changes employed on the new-generation model are significant on paper. The Max variant now makes up to 690 horsepower, and range is up across the board – up to 560 miles (CLTC) for the Pro. Charging is faster as well, with up to 416 miles of range added in 15 minutes if conditions are right.Under the skin, Smart Chassis 2.0 now brings dual-chamber air suspension and adaptive damping to more versions, not just the top model. This widens the gap between trims without leaving the base car feeling bare.Inside, Xiaomi has pushed further into the luxury space, with more soft-touch materials, seats with greater adjustability, better sound insulation, and a quieter cabin overall. Details like ambient lighting and a new console design help move the SU7 upmarket.Every model now gets a 700 TOPS computing platform, lidar as standard, and Xiaomi’s latest assisted driving system. Advanced driver assistance is now standard, not just a premium extra.One detail worth noting: Xiaomi dropped the electronic pop-up door system in favor of a setup with built-in redundancy and a mechanical backup. This change is directly linked to ongoing safety concerns. Xiaomi The Controversies Behind the HeadlinesDespite the upgrades, the SU7 arrives with some baggage. Xiaomi has faced scrutiny after reports of a fatal crash involving an earlier model, where electronic door releases reportedly failed.Investigations highlighted the risks of relying on electronic door systems, especially in serious crashes. It’s not just a Xiaomi issue, but the brand has been put under the microscope because of it.The new SU7 aims to fix that. Xiaomi says it now uses a triple-redundant door handle system with a mechanical backup and its own power supply, so doors can still open after a serious crash. There are other safety upgrades as well: stronger 2,200 MPa steel, nine standard airbags, and better battery protection. Xiaomi View the 8 images of this gallery on the original article
Transcribe →BMW Revived Mini 25 Years Ago—And It Changed the Brand Forever
Mar 21Tap to summarizeFrom Model to Brand IconThere are very few cars that started off as humble models of a brand that would eventually become so iconic as to become the brand itself. Mini represents that status, having been a mainstay of motoring culture since the '60s. It gained fame as a symbol of practical motoring, but also because its simplicity and driving dynamics made it a capable race car, with multiple runs and wins at the Monte Carlo Rally.It was acquired by BMW back in the late '90s, and they decided to revamp the brand and bring it into the new millennium. Mini, as we know it today, is celebrating 25 years, having debuted the next generation in 2001. Mini Rebirth Leads to SuccessIt's a tall order to turn an already iconic brand and model into a whole new brand, but BMW pulled it off, giving the Mini a whole new generation of fans and enthusiasts worldwide. Apart from the rebirth, the model line was also expanded. Through the years, we've seen the Mini in various shapes and forms, from 2-door to 3-door, and even 5-door crossovers.Part of the celebrations is that Mini USA is also marking the brand's 24 years of operations. Prior to the USA launch, the brand staged one of the most memorable publicity stunts in motoring history. In August of 1999, classic Mini owners packed 25 people into the original Mini, setting a new world record for how many people could fit inside the car. The new brand and the Mini officially made their public debuts at the 2001 North American International Auto Show.The past 24 years in America have proved fruitful for Mini; it has sold over 1 million cars since the official start of sales in March of 2002. The very first Mini sold in America was in the Boston area, and it went to a car collector who was captivated by it after seeing it in person. Mini Mini of Today Today, Mini enjoys still relative success as an enthusiast's brand, building cars for a specific set of people who want a piece of that legacy. It has also diversified into EVs using the iconic design and "go-kart" like philosophy to promote electrified models. The brand plans to explore going all-electric by 2030 but reiterates the importance of the internal combustion engine for the foreseeable future.2025 was also a good year for the automaker in terms of sales, despite a challenging year for most; Mini grew 9.3% compared to 2024. Mini
Transcribe →Street Takeover Celebration Turns Violent With Shootout Caught on Dashcam
Mar 21Tap to summarizeHarmless Fun?If you've ever come across those videos on various social media platforms of large crowds and cars doing donuts and showboating on public roads, then you've seen what a street takeover is. It's not a legal event by any means, and it poses a lot of safety issues, but street takeovers are usually easily dispersed once authorities arrive.A recent street takeover has gone viral for taking things too far. What started as a celebration of a special day turned into a violent takeover, ending in multiple arrests and some injuries. Violent 314 Day314 day is a unique but special day in the city of St. Louis, celebrated every March 14 (3/14), which is also the city's area code, hence the celebration. Started in 2006, it was officially recognized by city officials in 2022. 2026 was supposed to be special as it marked the 20th anniversary of 314 days, though things quickly turned grisly.One of the first incidents was reported to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The callers reported that along Gravois Avenue and MorganFord Road, people were lighting fireworks, blocking traffic with a street takeover, and partaking in reckless driving. Police arrived and found multiple cars blocking the road, but their unmarked car was surrounded by a crowd, impeding their progress. It was also reported that a woman who was hanging out of a moving car was eventually thrown off, but suffered no life-threatening injuries.In an even more shocking turn of events, in other parts of the city, gunshots were fired, which led to an actual firefight. A video from a dashcam has made it to the news, which shows two individuals who were carrying automatic weapons and engaged in a shootout. What makes the video scary is that there were innocent bystanders all around; in fact, the car that provided the dashcam footage was hit by a stray bullet. Both men in the video have been apprehended and charged. KMOV St. Louis/YouTube View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Juvenile MadnessAccording to authorities, multiple street takeovers were popping up across the city, prompting drastic measures to calm the situation. There were even reports of flame throwers in operation in some areas.Police had to use spike strips to help them apprehend over 50 cars in total. During a press conference, a police representative said that most of the people found during the takeovers were juveniles without their parents. As such, the city has implemented a curfew on juveniles for the time being. KMOV St. Louis/YouTube
Transcribe →This Toyota GR86 Swapped Its Subaru Engine for a Honda K24
Mar 21Tap to summarizeNot the Upgrade Toyota Had in MindOne of the biggest complaints about the previous-generation Toyota 86 was its modest factory output of around 200 horsepower. Toyota addressed that with the launch of the second-generation GR86 for the 2022 model year, equipping it with Subaru’s 2.4-liter FA24 boxer engine, which makes 228 horsepower in U.S.-spec form. However, one owner decided to swap it out anyway, replacing it with something a little different – a Honda engine.More specifically, this 2023 GR86 was swapped with a 2.4-liter Honda K24 inline-four. The K-series is well known in the tuning world as a reliable and relatively affordable platform for making more power. According to MA-Motorsports, the shop behind the swap, the decision came after the factory FA24 suffered internal damage when its harmonic balancer broke off. The builder said it wanted to stick with a Japanese replacement engine, but made one thing clear: “No more Subaru.”Bridging Two WorldsThe K24 was installed using a swap kit originally designed for the 86, though the shop said it had to be slightly modified to fit the GR86. The kit also included engine mounts, a fabricated oil pan, and an adapter plate that allowed the car to retain its factory 6-speed manual transmission. Meanwhile, the stock ABS was replaced with a BMW Mk60 from an E46 M3.This build is claimed to produce 240 wheel horsepower, which would translate to a higher figure at the crank. More importantly, it already surpasses the stock output.The vehicle was bought exclusively to serve as a track car, which is obvious from the interior layout. The stripped-out cabin retains only the driver’s seat – an OMP unit – along with a Momo steering wheel and a custom aluminum dashboard. Other equipment includes an ECUMaster PMU-16, a Link CAN keypad, a Link 7-inch display, and an AiM Solo 2 for recording lap times. MA-Motorsports/YouTube The Swap That Makes Sense on PaperMA-Motorsports explained that the K24 was the ideal choice due to a specific horsepower target for a particular class. Beyond that, the K-series is such a popular swap platform that it benefits from far broader aftermarket support – similar to General Motors’ LS engines – compared to sticking with or rebuilding the FA24.The total cost of the build wasn’t disclosed. For context, a brand-new GR86 with the FA24 – shared with the Subaru BRZ – starts at $31,200 in the U.S., excluding destination fees. MA-Motorsports/YouTube View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article
Transcribe →BMW Almost Put Vertical Grilles on the Electric 3 Series—Then Decided It “Looked Too Retro”
Mar 21Tap to summarizeThe all-new BMW i3 electric sedan is arguably the most important car launch of the year so far. Whether you like the design or not, the fact that BMW will now sell you an all-electric sports sedan that it deems worthy of the 3 Series nameplate is a pivotal moment for the automaker in particular and for luxury car brands in general.The 3 Series is BMW’s core model that best embodies the brand’s ‘Joy of Driving’ philosophy, and if the new i3 manages to convince die-hard fans that it’s a true 3 Series, BMW will have a big winner on its hands.We’ll just have to wait for the first reviews to come out to see if that’s the case, but until then, here’s an interesting tidbit of information regarding the i3’s design, which could have ended up quite different up front and arguably more controversial.BMW i3 "Looked Too Retro" with Vertical Kidneys BMW Motor1 has learned that the BMW design team explored the possibility of giving the i3 vertical kidney grilles similar to the iX3 electric SUV, the other member of BMW’s Neue Klasse (New Class) of all-electric vehicles. During a recent roundtable interview, BMW Group’s design director, Adrian van Hooydonk, said the experiment did not have the desired result.“We tried [the iX3’s grille] on the 3 Series as well. But we felt that for the 3 Series… if we had put the vertical grille on there, it would have maybe looked too retro, and it wouldn't have been as sporty as it looks today. So we felt that for a sporty [sedan], the horizontal grill fit the character of a 3 Series better,” van Hooydonk said. BMW This will probably come as a relief for many BMW fans, as the Bavarian brand has made some controversial moves in recent years as far as the design of its cars is concerned, particularly when it comes to the shape and size of its kidney grilles.BMW enthusiasts can’t possibly forget the “beaver tooth” kidney grilles fitted to the G80 M3, G82 M4 and the 4 Series, as they were polarizing when they debuted, to put it mildly. Still, while BMW’s design department caught a lot of flak because of that decision, the automaker said the controversy actually was part of the plan and sales remained strong.The BMW iX3 Has Been Criticized Far More Than the i3 for Its Looks BMW Now, when it comes to the BMW iX3 SUV, the vertical kidney grilles are far smaller than on the M3/M4 and 4 Series, so they’re easier to “digest,” although the iX3 has generated its fair share of criticism.Former BMW designer Frank Stephenson, for example, described the grille as “too pinched" and "almost puckered up,” according to BMW Blog. The skinny kidney grilles were also criticized by Car Magazine, which likened them to “Bugs Bunny teeth.” Finally, the rear end of the new BMW iX3 is considered by many as too generic and lacking in BMW character. BMW Of course, all of these comments are subjective, and what matters more is how the market will receive the iX3; so far, things are looking great as BMW recently announced receiving over 50,000 orders in the first 6 months, which is why the Debrecen plant in Hungary is adding a second shift to ramp up production.As for the new BMW i3, it has received far less criticism than the iX3 for its looks, and no one seems to have a problem with the horizontal kidney grilles. The general consensus seems to be that it looks like a BMW should and it’s an attractive-looking sedan. Whether that will be enough to convince traditional 3 Series buyers to go all-electric is a discussion for another time. BMW
Transcribe →The Man Who Designed Modern Range Rovers and Jaguars Is Stepping Down
Mar 21Tap to summarizeA Quiet Exit, Finally ConfirmedAfter months of silence, JaguarLand Rover has finally confirmed what many suspected. Gerry McGovern, the company’s longtime design chief, will step down at the end of March, Automotive News reports. His two-decade run helped define the look and feel of both Jaguar and Land Rover.Late last year, rumors already circulated that McGovern was out, but JLR kept quiet. Now, the company says he’s leaving on his own terms and will be starting his own creative consultancy.JLR CEO PB Balaji credited McGovern’s influence across the brands, pointing to his role in elevating design as a central pillar of the company’s positioning. McGovern himself described his time at JLR as a privilege, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the company’s output over the years.Of note, Jaguar is in the middle of a major reset, aiming to return as an all-electric luxury brand. McGovern helped set that direction, including work on the Type 00 concept, but he won’t be there when the next generation of Jaguar EVs hits the road. Jaguar Land Rover The Previous ConfusionThis new clarity is a sharp contrast to the confusion just a few months back. In December, reports claimed McGovern had been let go suddenly, with some even saying he was escorted out. The supposed shakeup was linked to changes at the top after Balaji took over as CEO.JLR’s response at the time was short and didn’t offer much. The company denied that McGovern had been fired, but didn’t explain further, which only fueled more speculation about what was really happening inside the company.With so little detail, theories started to spread. Some pointed to internal restructuring, others to creative disagreements, and a few to the mixed reactions to Jaguar’s new design direction. None of these were ever confirmed. Jaguar Type 00 conceptJaguar A Long Legacy, and an Unanswered GapNo matter what happened behind closed doors, McGovern’s influence on JLR is clear. He played a big role in expanding the Range Rover lineup and giving Land Rover a new look, with models like the Evoque and Velar attracting a new set of buyers.His work on the modern Defender stands out. He managed to balance classic Land Rover cues with a more refined, upscale feel. The result was a product that became central to the brand’s image and bottom line.He also helped steer Jaguar toward its next chapter, even if he won’t be there for the launch. The Type 00 concept, which split opinions, marked a clear break from Jaguar’s old design language and pointed to what’s coming next.What’s still unknown is how much of McGovern’s vision will stick. Now that he’s officially out, the focus turns to who steps in next and whether Jaguar and Land Rover will stay the course or make changes as they move further into the EV era. Jaguar View the 12 images of this gallery on the original article
Transcribe →Another Corvette Falls Off a Dealer Lift—Is This Becoming a Pattern?
Mar 21Tap to summarizeJared George traded in his Mercedes-AMG GT for a used but barely-driven 2024 Corvette Z06 with just over 3,000 miles on the clock. Less than a week later, he took it to a Texas dealership for its first oil change. He drove home, noticed an oil drip on his garage floor, and brought it straight back. While the staff was trying to place the car on a lift to diagnose the leak, it slipped. Photos shared to a Corvette owner's Facebook group show the Arctic White Z06 tilted at a steep angle on a two-post lift, its rear end angled toward the floor while the body leaned heavily to one side. With damage extending past the visual of broken fiberglass panels and gouges in the chassis, this $110,000+ Corvette Z06 is likely written off, thanks to a routine workshop visit. Jared Adrian George/Facebook View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article The Wrong Tool for the JobA two-post lift was the wrong call here. With the C8's mid-engine layout pushing roughly 60 percent of the weight over the rear axle, placing it on a two-post lift demands precise positioning and specific lift pad adapters. Get it even slightly wrong, and the physics are unforgiving. Four-post ramp lifts are far more forgiving for this kind of weight distribution, since the car simply drives onto the ramps and sits there stably. Several C8s have already fallen off lifts because of the heavily weighted rear, and yet two-post setups remain the default in most service bays. The C8 also has frame cutouts that an inexperienced technician might mistakenly identify as jacking points when they are actually tie-down slots used during transport. That confusion, combined with a rear-heavy platform most GM techs have never worked on before, is a disaster waiting to happen. CorvetteBlogger View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article A Pattern That Keeps RepeatingIn 2020, a red C8 Stingray fell off a lift after being improperly jacked up, and a blue Corvette suffered the same fate a year later in 2021. Then, in September 2023, a red Z06 slipped during a pre-delivery inspection. Now this. Four incidents (that we know of) in five years involving the same platform and the same failure. Enthusiast forums have been warning about this since the C8 launched. Chevrolet The fix isn't complicated. Jacking pucks that clip into the correct frame slots make the lift points immediately obvious, and several forum veterans recommend leaving them on the car permanently so any technician can see exactly where to go. Some owners have even suggested GM should mark the spots with high-visibility indicators from the factory. The C8 is not a difficult car to lift safely. It just requires a technician who actually knows what they're doing, and dealerships, it seems, haven't gotten that message yet.
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