Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
EU Automakers Call for Urgent Action As Vehicle Sales Slump in 2022
The European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (ACEA) wants the European Union to assist them as they enter a slump. It comes on the back of the Covid pandemic, fallout from Brexit, semiconductor shortages, and the energy crisis. The organization had expected sales to recover swiftly, but in the face of a recession, they’re preparing for sales to shrink further, which are already 26 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels.
The 2023 BMW M2 Shakes Off Conservative Design, Retains Driver-Oriented Focus
The 2023 BMW M2 is here to bookend the lineup of M cars, with a new design ethos that has already split opinions. Looking past the design, which we’re told is mostly functional, the new M2 does retain many of the driver-centric attributes that were loved. These include a non-electrified, turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six, rear-wheel drive, and a manual transmission as standard. What it also adds, though, is weight — it’s 3,814 lbs (1,730 kg) in manual guise.
Driven: 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Is Big On Style And Space, But Hybrid Needs Work
While the Dodge Hornet may have been getting a lot of press of late, its Italian sibling is just as crucial for Alfa Romeo. It has a real shot at being a volume seller for the brand. But with plenty of competition in its segment, is it a worthy challenger? To find out, we got behind the wheel of the mild-hybrid model.
Rezvani Vengeance Debuts As A $249,000 Military-Inspired SUV Based On The Cadillac Escalade
The Rezvani Vengeance is here for all of you who thought the Cadillac Escalade just wasn’t brash and military-inspired enough for you. An optional Military Package will set you back $95,000 but will include blast protection, run-flat tires, reinforced suspension, and a steel front bumper with an integrated winch as well as hexagonal recovery points.
Alpine Alpenglow Is A Striking Hypercar Concept Set To Debut On October 13
Alpine has released a single image of the upcoming Alpenglow hypercar concept, which is said to showcase the design and technology that will be applied in future models, both for the road and for the track. The exotic machine will be unveiled in full tomorrow, October 13.
Amazon To Invest €1 Billion In European Electric Van And Truck Fleet
Amazon plans to more than triple its electric vehicle fleet in Europe by the end of 2025, with over 10,000 EVs scheduled to hit the road. To do so, the online retail giant is investing €1 billion ($970 million USD at current exchange rates) into its European fleet, mainly focused on all-electric delivery vans and trucks.
Canada’s Project Arrow EV To Be Previewed On October 19
Developed and manufactured by Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, the Project Arrow has been conceived as an all-electric SUV, set to be previewed on October 19. The vehicle will demonstrate Canada’s EV capabilities, with the Canadian government investing $3.9 million in the project.
What Else Is Making The News
Burnt Hair Musk, By Elon, is Now A Purchasable Fragrance
Burnt Hair is a purchasable cologne, available on The Boring Company’s website for $100 a bottle. It comes after a tweet Musk made a few months ago and has apparently already sold 10,000 bottles so far. That’s $1,000,000 in revenue already.
Meta Shows Off New Quest Pro VR Headset
.@MetaQuestVR Pro is our first full-color mixed reality headset, with a sleeker design and eye tracking to help you feel more present with others in the #metaverse. Pre-order today at https://t.co/IfpKXEHWsQ. pic.twitter.com/Gv7BMahoJF
— Meta Newsroom (@MetaNewsroom) October 11, 2022
Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a new virtual reality headset created by Meta which is being touted as the next step for VR. The Quest Pro, as it’s called, costs a whopping $1,499 — nearly four times the price of the company’s current Quest 2, which is $399. The critical difference for the Quest Pro is that it can overlay digital content on the real world, allowing viewers to see digitally enhanced versions of their surroundings.
