Global News Archives

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Sets Guinness World Records For Greatest Altitude Change By An Electric Car

Hyundai Motor Company’s revolutionary Hyundai Ioniq 5 has achieved a remarkable feat by setting a Guinness World Records title for the Greatest Altitude Change by an Electric Car. The record-setting journey, organised by Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), showcased the electric vehicle’s capabilities over a gruelling 14-day adventure.

From the Heights of the Himalayas to the Depths of Kerala

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 recorded an altitude change of 5,802 meters, starting at Umling La, India’s highest drivable point located 5,799 meters above sea level in Leh Ladakh, and concluding in Kuttanad, Kerala, which lies three meters below sea level. Spanning over 4,900km, the journey tested the vehicle against extreme terrains and climatic conditions, ranging from the freezing Himalayan passes to Kerala’s humid coastal plains.

Demonstrating Resilience and Advanced Technology

Throughout the expedition, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 highlighted its position as a leader in electric mobility, overcoming challenging environments while delivering exceptional performance. Designed on Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the Ioniq 5 combines futuristic design inspired by Hyundai’s iconic PONY with cutting-edge technology and sustainability.

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Audi to Close Brussels Factory, Ending Production of Q8 e-tron

Volkswagen is grappling with financial challenges, recently negotiating with striking workers over the potential closure of three German production facilities. Meanwhile, Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, has announced the closure of its Brussels, Belgium factory by 28 February 2025, ending production of the Audi Q8 e-tron and its Sportback sibling.

The Audi Q8 e-tron’s Journey

Initially launched as the Audi e-tron in 2019, the model was rebranded as the Q8 e-tron in 2024. The electric luxury SUV received a refresh in 2022, but its production is now set to be short-lived. The Brussels facility, which has operated since 1949 and employs around 3,000 people, can produce up to 120,000 vehicles annually, though only 49,001 Q8 e-trons were sold in 2023.

Gerd Walker, Audi’s head of production, called the decision to close the factory “the toughest decision of my professional career.”

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The 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz: A Modern Revival of a Classic Icon

Volkswagen has revived its legendary Type 2 Microbus as the all-electric 2025 ID.Buzz, blending nostalgic charm with contemporary technology. First launched in 1950, the original Type 2 was a cultural icon symbolizing peace and good vibes, with its three rows of seats offering space for up to nine passengers. Fast forward over 50 years, and its successor is making waves as a modern EV.

Performance and Range

The ID.Buzz is significantly heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 2,800kgs—a notable 680kgs more than the Honda Odyssey. Despite its heft, the EV offers two powertrain options: a rear-wheel-drive version with 282hp and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant delivering 335hp. The ID.Buzz can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds. However, its 86-kWh battery provides a modest range of 376km for the rear-wheel-drive version and 372km for the AWD model, falling short compared to some competitors.

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Bugatti Mistral Sets New Record as the World’s Fastest Roadster

The Bugatti Mistral, a stunning roadster powered by a quad-turbocharged W-16 engine, reached an extraordinary top speed of 454 km/h, surpassing the 2016 record set by the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder at 427.4 km/h.

The speed run took place at the Automotive Testing facility in Papenburg, Germany, with Bugatti’s test driver Andy Wallace at the helm. Entering the straightaway at 200 km/h from the banking, Wallace pushed the Mistral to its limit, achieving a remarkable speed on the 4.0-kilometer track. While longer stretches like the Ehra-Lessien test track could have provided even more room to push the Mistral further, the Papenburg facility proved sufficient for this historic feat.

The Mistral, named after the powerful wind of southern France, is an engineering masterpiece. It shares its DNA with the Chiron Super Sport 300+, the first road-legal car to break the 482 km/h barrier in 2019. Powered by a quad-turbocharged 8.0-litre W-16 engine, the Mistral produces a staggering 1,578hp—100 more than the standard Chiron—and delivers power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

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Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors Sign MOU on Collaborative Considerations

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore Mitsubishi Motors’ potential involvement in the business integration being planned between Nissan and Honda. This collaboration aims to amplify synergies across the companies, enhancing their collective competitiveness in the evolving automotive landscape.

Expanding the Strategic Partnership

The discussions build on the foundational MOU signed by Nissan and Honda in August 2024, which focused on leveraging synergies in electrification and vehicle intelligence. Mitsubishi Motors has been actively participating in the framework established by this partnership and is now considering formal involvement in the joint holding company envisioned by Nissan and Honda.

The potential integration underscores the companies’ commitment to adapting to rapid shifts in the automotive industry, including the push for electrification and digital transformation. Mitsubishi Motors aims to finalize its decision on participation by January 2025.

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Nissan and Honda sign MOU to Consider Business Integration

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore a business integration through the establishment of a joint holding company. The move aims to bolster global competitiveness and deliver innovative products and services, aligning with the automotive industry’s rapidly evolving landscape.

Driving Toward Carbon Neutrality and Innovation

The partnership builds upon an earlier MOU signed in March 2024, which outlined strategic collaboration in areas such as vehicle intelligence and electrification. Following a second MOU in August 2024, the companies expanded their cooperation to include joint research on next-generation software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

Nissan and Honda aim to accelerate their shared vision of achieving a carbon-neutral society and advancing zero-traffic fatality solutions by pooling their resources, expertise, and technologies.

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The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the Fastest Corvette Ever

Chevrolet’s engineers have raised the bar with the new Corvette ZR1, which has been officially crowned the quickest and fastest Corvette in history. Recently tested on the High-Speed Oval Track at ATP Automotive Testing in Papenburg, Germany, the ZR1 reached a staggering top speed of 375km/h, solidifying its place among the fastest production cars ever built by General Motors.

The ZR1’s performance numbers are equally astonishing in acceleration. Chevrolet announced that the ZR1 can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.3 seconds, edging out the electrified Corvette E-Ray, which previously held the title at 2.5 seconds. This blistering acceleration places the ZR1 in the same league as hypercars like the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Lamborghini Revuelto, and Lotus Evija, all of which achieve the same 0-100km/h time.

In terms of quarter-mile performance, the ZR1 doesn’t disappoint. It covers the distance in a mere 9.6 seconds at 241km/h, putting it on par with exotic rivals such as the Ferrari 296 GTB and Lamborghini Revuelto.

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Volkswagen Strikes Landmark Agreement with Unions, Plans 35,000 Job Cuts in Germany

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, has announced a sweeping restructuring plan for its German operations, including more than 35,000 job cuts and capacity reductions. The deal, reached in a last-minute negotiation with unions, aims to avert mass strikes while positioning the company for a competitive future in the rapidly evolving auto industry.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed the agreement as a balanced and socially responsible resolution.
“It’s good news that the company and trade unions have agreed on a good, socially acceptable solution today,” Scholz said. “Despite all the hardships, it ensures that Volkswagen and its employees can look forward to a good future. This agreement reaffirms Germany’s standing as an important location for industry and the automotive sector.”

Porsche SE, Volkswagen’s top shareholder, also welcomed the move, emphasising the structural advantages it brings.
“The agreed catalogue of measures makes a substantial contribution to a structural and sustainable reduction in costs,” the company said in a statement. “The result will lead to a considerable improvement in Volkswagen’s competitiveness, laying a solid foundation for future investments.”

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Hyundai and BAIC Bolster China Joint Venture with $1.1 Billion Investment Amid Sales Decline

Hyundai Motor and BAIC Group are committing $1.1 billion to revive their struggling joint venture, Beijing Hyundai Motor Co., as they aim to reposition themselves in China’s fiercely competitive auto market. The funding is set to stabilize the joint venture’s financial health and accelerate its transition toward electric vehicles (EVs), a segment dominated by domestic manufacturers like BYD.

Facing Challenges in a Shifting Market

Beijing Hyundai has experienced a sharp decline in fortunes, with sales plummeting 41% year-on-year to just 137,300 vehicles through October 2024. This stark drop reflects broader struggles faced by foreign automakers in China, who are losing market share to rapidly rising domestic EV brands.

Financially, the joint venture is in dire straits. Losses amounted to 2.6 billion yuan in the first nine months of 2024, following a 5.4 billion yuan after-tax deficit in 2023. Asset values have also shrunk by nearly 14 billion yuan from the end of 2022 to September 2024, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

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Farewell to a Legend: Volkswagen Ends Production of Iconic VR6 Engine

After nearly 34 years of production and 1.87 million units, Volkswagen has officially retired its legendary narrow-angle VR6 engine. The final unit of the six-cylinder powerhouse was built on December 12, marking the end of an era for an engine that became synonymous with innovation and versatility.

The Birth of the VR6

Introduced in 1991, the VR6 debuted as a 2.8-litre engine in the third-generation Passat and the Corrado coupe. What set the VR6 apart was its unique layout—a narrow-angle V design that combined features of both a V6 and an inline-six. With cylinder banks offset at an exceptionally narrow-angle, the VR6 required only a single cylinder head, simplifying its construction and reducing manufacturing costs.

This innovative design allowed Volkswagen to create a compact engine capable of fitting into smaller cars, making it a perfect choice for front-wheel-drive platforms.

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Global News

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Sets Guinness World Records For Greatest Altitude Change By An Electric Car

Audi to Close Brussels Factory, Ending Production of Q8 e-tron

The 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz: A Modern Revival of a Classic Icon

Bugatti Mistral Sets New Record as the World’s Fastest Roadster

Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi Motors Sign MOU on Collaborative Considerations

Nissan and Honda sign MOU to Consider Business Integration

The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the Fastest Corvette Ever

Volkswagen Strikes Landmark Agreement with Unions, Plans 35,000 Job Cuts in Germany

Hyundai and BAIC Bolster China Joint Venture with $1.1 Billion Investment Amid Sales Decline

Farewell to a Legend: Volkswagen Ends Production of Iconic VR6 Engine

MG CyberX SUV Teased Ahead of Shanghai Debut

2025 Toyota GR Yaris Gets Aero Boost, Performance Upgrades, and New Tech — Japan Only for Now

BMW Introduces ‘Seal & Drive’ Tyre Kit — A Smart Fix for Flats

Mazda Unveils EZ-60 Electric SUV, Expands Global EV Strategy with Changan Partnership

Stellantis Faces Crisis as Tariffs Hit Alfa Romeo and Maserati Hard

Ferrari Set to Revive Gated Manual Transmission After Over a Decade

Chinese Tyre Manufacturer Under Investigation for Alleged Smuggling and Mislabelling in Thailand

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Facelift to Reshape AMG Lineup with New C53 Model Likely to Replace C43 and C63

Hyundai Pushes Back Against Touchscreen Overload, Returns to Physical Controls

Neta Shuts Only Showroom in Singapore Amid Financial Turmoil

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