Moose-Proof and Megacasting: Ars Drives the New Volvo EX60
Volvo introduced the all‑electric EX60 in January, the first model built on its new SPA3 platform and offering up to 400 miles of range. The vehicle uses megacasting to replace more than 100 rear‑floor components with a single aluminum‑alloy piece, and features a cell‑to‑body structural battery that integrates cells into the floor and walls. Pricing starts at $59,795 for the P6 Plus and tops out at $68,745 for the P10 AWD Ultra, with a higher‑performance P12 planned. The EX60 also includes moose‑proof A‑pillars and a Google Gemini‑powered AI assistant.
More than Just an SUV? Rivian Is Working on More R2 Variants.
Rivian is preparing multiple variants of its upcoming midsize R2 electric SUV, including a potential R2X crossover. The company aims to introduce a $45,000 version with a smaller battery as early as next year, while additional configurations could roll out...
There's a Lot of Hype About Chinese EVs—Is Any of It True?
The Beijing Auto Show showcases Chinese electric vehicles that boast low prices, heavy infotainment, and AI‑driven features, prompting headlines that claim five Chinese EVs could be bought for the price of one U.S. car. U.S. policymakers have responded with 100%...
In Motorsport, There's Nowhere to Hide as AI Becomes New CFD Tool
AI surrogates such as IBM's Gauge‑Invariant Spectral Transformer (GIST) are proving capable of replacing traditional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) runs, delivering drag and downforce predictions in seconds with comparable error margins. In a joint study with chassis maker Dallara, GIST...
First Look: Also's Upcoming E-Bike Disconnects the Pedals and Wheels
Also, an electric‑bike startup backed by Rivian, is gearing up to launch the TM‑B, a bike that disconnects the rider’s pedals from the wheels. Pedaling drives a generator, whose electricity—augmented by a battery—powers a separate motor, while software controls crank...
US Jobs Too Important to Risk Chinese Car Imports, Says Ford CEO
Ford CEO Jim Farley warned that China’s auto industry has enough spare capacity to absorb the entire U.S. market of roughly 16 million new vehicles each year, with an extra 21 million slots beyond its 2026 output. He framed this as a...
F1 Moves a Step Closer to Fixing Its 2026 Hybrid Problem
Formula 1’s 2026 hybrid power units combine a 1.6 L turbo V6 with a 4 MJ (1.1 kWh) battery, delivering up to 750 kW (1,005 hp) for brief bursts. The limited battery capacity forces teams to use lift‑and‑coast or super‑clipping, creating large speed differentials and reducing...
First, Tesla Canceled the Model 2—Now It's Working on a New Small EV
Tesla is reportedly developing a brand‑new, sub‑compact electric vehicle measuring about 168 inches (4.3 m) in length, distinct from the Model 3 and Model Y. Sources say the car would be produced in China, which would subject any U.S. imports to a 100 percent...
No Big Trucks for Little Roads: American OEMs Say EU Is Blocking Imports
The European Union is tightening its Individual Vehicle Approval rules, which could prevent U.S. full‑size pickups such as the Ford F‑150 from being sold in Europe. American automakers argue the move creates a non‑tariff barrier that conflicts with the US‑EU...
EV Adoption in America: Who's Winning, Who's Losing?
U.S. electric‑vehicle sales plunged in Q1 2026 after the Trump administration scrapped the federal tax credit, prompting automakers to cut production and cancel battery plants. Analysts forecast a 28% drop in new EV sales, while gasoline prices hovering just above...
As Electric Truck Demand Craters, GM Lays Off Workers and Idles Plant
General Motors temporarily idled its Factory Zero plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, laying off 1,300 workers until production resumes on April 13. The shutdown affects the assembly of the Escalade IQ, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, and GMC Hummer EVs....
So Long, Farewell: Saying Goodbye to Audi's Best Car, the 2026 RS6 Avant
Audi has halted production of the 2026 RS6 Avant, marking the end of its high‑performance wagon line. The model, priced around $130,700, delivers 621 hp from a twin‑turbo V8 and can reach 190 mph, while offering 30 cu ft of cargo space. Production shifted...
Feds Say No Need to Recall Tesla's One-Pedal Driving Despite Petition
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has declined to order a recall of Tesla’s one‑pedal driving system, concluding there is no systemic sudden unintended acceleration problem. The agency reviewed a 2023 petition from a Greek engineer that sought...
A Station Wagon Is Entering One of the Hardest 24-Hour Races in the World
BMW has transformed its M3 Touring into a 24‑hour race car for the Nürburgring Langstrecken‑Serie, debuting in the SPX exhibition class at the upcoming Nürburgring 24H. The wagon, based on the M4 GT3 EVO platform, features a longer chassis and...
Doubling the Voltage: What 800 V Architecture Really Changes in EVs
The automotive industry is shifting from the long‑standing 400 V battery architecture to 800 V systems, a move championed by models such as the Porsche Taycan and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Doubling the voltage halves the current needed for the same power, which reduces...