Global News Archives

BMW Teases the Future of M: Quad-Motor Electric Prototypes Signal New Era of Performance

BMW’s M division is gearing up for a seismic shift with the development of full-electric M models, but enthusiasts will need to wait until later this decade for the real deal. Models like the i5 M60 and i7 M70—currently part of BMW’s M Performance lineup—serve as a precursor, much like the M240i or M340i in the combustion world. However, these electrified offerings are just a stepping stone, paving the way for a bona fide electric M car.

Development on this groundbreaking project started years ago, with prototypes based on the i4 M50, BMW M’s best-selling car in both 2022 and 2023. A behind-the-scenes video recently offered a glimpse into the rigorous testing and development of these electric M prototypes, revealing exciting details about their future.

Quad-Motor Setup: The Next Frontier

Carsten Wolf, Head of Overall Vehicle Development at BMW M, dropped a major hint in the video: future M electric cars will feature a quad-motor setup, promising unparalleled performance and cutting-edge technology. Wolf described the four-motor configuration as a game-changer, capable of delivering features and driving dynamics beyond what is currently imaginable.

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EU Invests $1 Billion to Strengthen Domestic EV Battery Industry and Reduce Dependence on China

The European Union has announced a $1 billion grant initiative aimed at strengthening its electric vehicle (EV) battery industry, as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on Chinese components and foster domestic production. The funding, which is tied to strict sourcing requirements, seeks to boost the region’s capacity to produce clean energy technologies while ensuring the EU can meet its climate goals independently.

The initiative is central to the EU’s efforts to build a resilient supply chain for clean energy, with a particular focus on EV battery manufacturing. One key aspect of the program is its emphasis on limiting reliance on Chinese-sourced materials, such as cathodes and anodes, and ensuring that any new patents resulting from funded projects are registered within EU member states to protect critical intellectual property.

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Italian Parts Supplier Group Saves Recaro Automotive

Recaro Automotive, the renowned German seat manufacturer, has secured its financial future following a bankruptcy filing in July. The company has been rescued by Proma Group, an Italian parts supplier specialising in automotive components. This deal guarantees Recaro’s revival, with plans to relaunch in January 2025.

As part of the agreement, Recaro’s seat manufacturing will shift from Germany to Italy, ensuring production resumes next year. Aftermarket seat availability is also expected to restart, a major relief for customers and automakers relying on Recaro’s high-quality reputation.

Proma Group has committed to retaining key Recaro employees, particularly from the sales and technology departments, to maintain continuity. This will help preserve the company’s expertise and customer relationships during the transition.

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The Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed has a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo – 0-100km/h in 3.6 Seconds!

The Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed, the inaugural model of the exclusive Mercedes-Benz Mythos Series, made a global debut at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Designed as an open-top, two-seater performance car without a roof or windscreen, the PureSpeed offers an unmatched connection to the elements and pays homage to motorsport heritage. Limited to just 250 units, this vehicle combines bold design, state-of-the-art engineering, and extraordinary driving dynamics.

Drawing inspiration from the Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar, the PureSpeed’s design is a celebration of motorsport aesthetics. It boasts a low profile, a long bonnet, and an aggressive shark-nose grille. Carbon fibre is extensively utilized in the lower body, boot lid, and rear diffuser, ensuring aerodynamic efficiency and a lightweight build. The 21-inch forged aluminium wheels with aerodynamic carbon fibre cover further enhance airflow while reducing drag. One of its standout features is the Formula 1-inspired tubular steel HALO system, replacing the traditional A-pillar for advanced safety and a futuristic appearance.

Under the hood lies a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine that generates an impressive 585PS and 800Nm of torque. This allows the PureSpeed to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 315 km/h. Paired with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission, it ensures lightning-fast gear shifts thanks to its wet starting clutch. The AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system provides all-wheel drive with fully variable torque distribution, ensuring optimal traction and stability across all driving conditions.

The PureSpeed’s dynamic performance is further bolstered by active aerodynamic components, including an extendable rear spoiler and underbody Venturi-effect elements that improve handling at high speeds. The AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension minimizes roll, balancing comfort and performance, while ceramic composite brakes deliver precise stopping power. Rear-axle steering enhances agility and stability, adjusting its function according to speed for superior handling.

Inside, the PureSpeed combines motorsport-inspired luxury with cutting-edge technology. The two-tone interior, available in crystal white and black, features AMG Performance seats and carbon fibre accents. A bespoke IWC Schaffhausen clock adds an air of exclusivity. Advanced connectivity options include custom helmets with intercom systems for driver-passenger communication and smartphone pairing. For audio enthusiasts, a Burmester 3D Surround Sound System with 15 speakers provides a premium listening experience.

Paying tribute to its rich racing history, Mercedes-AMG offers an optional Motorsport Styling Package with colours like Le Mans red and graphite grey, as well as an exclusive mystic silver magno finish inspired by the legendary Silver Arrow 300 SLR. Each PureSpeed bears a unique badge reading “1 of 250”, emphasizing its exclusivity. Owners also receive a custom indoor car cover to protect their collector’s item.

The Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed encapsulates the essence of motorsport while delivering an unfiltered, exhilarating driving experience. With its cutting-edge technology, iconic design, and dedication to performance, this masterpiece represents the pinnacle of Mercedes-AMG’s innovation and craftsmanship.

BMW’s Automated Driving In-Plant System Moves Closer to Full Implementation

BMW is taking autonomous technology beyond the highway and into its factories. The company has been refining its Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW) system since 2022, starting with a pilot project in its Dingolfing, Germany plant—the automaker’s largest production facility. This groundbreaking system has now received CE certification, paving the way for wider adoption across the European Union.

Revolutionising In-Plant Logistics

At the Dingolfing plant, which employs over 17,000 people and produces a range of BMW models (including the 5 Series, 7 Series, and Rolls-Royce bodies), AFW enables newly assembled vehicles to drive autonomously for nearly a mile. The vehicles navigate from the assembly line through a test course and onto the finishing area, all without a driver.

The system relies on a sophisticated LIDAR infrastructure, Europe’s largest, which tracks vehicles along their route. Unlike traditional semi-autonomous systems, the AFW process does not depend on the vehicle’s built-in autonomy features. Instead, the cars are guided by external LIDAR sensors and a cutting-edge cloud-based architecture, ensuring precision and safety throughout the plant.

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Mercedes Envisions Revolutionary Mid-Mounted Brakes for Electric Vehicles

Since the advent of wheeled vehicles, braking systems have traditionally been installed at each wheel to provide individual stopping power. Now, Mercedes-Benz aims to disrupt that age-old design with an innovative approach tailored to the electric vehicle (EV) era.

At its R&D centre in Sindelfingen, Mercedes engineers propose relocating traditional brake components to the centre of the car, housed within the electric drive unit alongside the motor, transmission, and differential. This radical idea could reduce environmental impact, improve ride quality, and redefine aerodynamics.

The Case for Centralised Braking

Modern EVs rely heavily on regenerative braking, minimising the use of traditional brakes except during emergencies. By placing the brake discs centrally within the drive unit, Mercedes seeks to achieve several advantages:

Environmental Benefits: The aluminium housings would trap brake dust, a significant pollutant, preventing it from dispersing into the environment.
Improved Ride Dynamics: Centralising the braking system reduces unsprung mass at the wheels, potentially enhancing ride comfort and handling.
Aerodynamic Gains: Removing traditional wheel-mounted brakes allows for fully enclosed, streamlined wheels similar to those on Salt Flats racers, reducing drag and improving efficiency.

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Volkswagen Faces Challenges Amid Revamp of EV Lineup and Strategy Shift

It’s a turbulent period for German automaker Volkswagen as it contends with major economic pressures. In North America, management reshuffles have dominated headlines, while globally, the company is implementing plant closures, wage reductions, and layoffs to save billions of dollars. Despite these hurdles, Volkswagen is charting a path forward, starting with significant updates to its electric vehicle (EV) lineup and platforms.

Revamping the Electric Future

At the LA Auto Show, Volkswagen’s Head of Research & Development, Kai Grünitz, outlined the company’s roadmap for a revamped all-electric lineup. Central to this effort is the Modular Electric (MEB) platform, which underpins models such as the ID.4 and the recently launched ID. Buzz van. Grünitz promised “huge improvements” to the platform, including a fresh design language that aims to bring the brand closer to its roots and revive its appeal.

The first step in this journey is the production-ready ID.2all, a compact EV concept unveiled in 2023. Initially slated for a 2025 release, economic challenges and a slowdown in EV demand have cast uncertainty over its launch schedule. Nonetheless, Volkswagen remains committed to the ID.2all as part of the updated MEB platform, with an accompanying SUV model expected to debut at the Munich Motor Show in September 2025.

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Stellantis Unveils STLA Frame Platform for Future SUVs and Trucks

Stellantis has unveiled the specifications for its STLA Frame platform, a modular chassis designed to support a new generation of full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and light commercial vehicles, many of which will be electric. This platform will also accommodate plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hydrogen-powered vehicles, further reinforcing Stellantis’ commitment to versatile and sustainable mobility. It is one of four modular platforms in Stellantis’ lineup, alongside STLA Small, STLA Medium, and STLA Large, each designed for flexibility and upgradability in components such as battery chemistry, electric motors, and software.

The STLA Frame platform features a ladder-type frame chassis, with a widened central section to house the battery pack for electric models. A full-length belly pan reduces aerodynamic drag, maximising efficiency. Battery sizes will range from 159 kWh to over 200 kWh, supporting 800-volt architecture for high-speed charging up to 350 kW, adding 160km of range in just 10 minutes under optimal conditions. Series PHEVs will use a 400-volt system, capable of charging at up to 175 kW.

Performance-wise, the platform supports up to 804km of range in EV mode and 1,110km in series PHEV mode. It offers impressive towing capabilities, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,350kg and a payload capacity of 1,224kg, surpassing the performance of some current Ram light-duty models. The platform is designed for off-road enthusiasts, able to ford up to 24 inches of water and accommodate tyres up to 33 inches in diameter, with ground clearance ranging from 6.6 to 10.3 inches. Dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations are supported, with the most powerful electric motors delivering 335hp, enabling some models to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.4 seconds.

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Mazda Prepares to Revive EV Ambitions with New SUV in 2027

Mazda is gearing up for a renewed push into the electric vehicle (EV) market. Despite a rocky start with the MX-30, which was recently discontinued in the U.S. due to poor sales performance, Mazda has outlined its vision for an electrified future. Central to this strategy is a fully in-house-developed electric SUV set to launch in 2027.

The announcement was part of Mazda’s detailed roadmap, extending through 2030. This upcoming SUV is expected to feature a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) derivative, most likely employing a range extender technology. The automaker has hinted at utilising its iconic rotary engine, which serves as a generator for recharging batteries rather than directly powering the wheels.

Mazda currently markets the MX-30 R-EV, an EV equipped with a single-rotor Wankel engine that acts solely as a generator. Industry analysts believe this setup could be carried over to the 2027 SUV, albeit with improvements.

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Jaguar’s Bold New Era: Introducing the Type 00

Jaguar is embarking on a transformational journey to recapture its founder Sir William Lyons’ original ethos: “Copy Nothing.” At the forefront of this reimagining is the unveiling of the Jaguar Type 00, a design vision concept that boldly represents the brand’s new creative philosophy, “Exuberant Modernism.” Premiered at Miami Art Week 2024, this distinctive concept previews the future of Jaguar—a fearless statement of design, innovation, and electrification.

The Type 00, pronounced “Type Zero Zero,” is a physical manifestation of Jaguar’s vibrant new identity. It combines a rich heritage with cutting-edge technology and visionary design. Its striking silhouette features a long bonnet, a sweeping roofline, a fastback profile, and dramatic 23-inch alloy wheels. This revolutionary form is made possible by Jaguar’s dedicated Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), ensuring not only bold aesthetics but also state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) performance.

Jaguar’s decision to unveil Type 00 at Miami Art Week underscores its alignment with the art world, showcasing a celebration of British creativity. Two interpretations of the concept were presented: a Satin Rhodon Rose model, dubbed “Miami Pink,” inspired by the Art Deco charm of the city, and an Inception Silver Blue variant, nicknamed “London Blue,” paying homage to Jaguar’s British roots. Both iterations highlight the artistry that has been integral to Jaguar’s identity for decades.

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Global News

BMW Teases the Future of M: Quad-Motor Electric Prototypes Signal New Era of Performance

EU Invests $1 Billion to Strengthen Domestic EV Battery Industry and Reduce Dependence on China

Italian Parts Supplier Group Saves Recaro Automotive

The Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed has a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo – 0-100km/h in 3.6 Seconds!

BMW’s Automated Driving In-Plant System Moves Closer to Full Implementation

Mercedes Envisions Revolutionary Mid-Mounted Brakes for Electric Vehicles

Volkswagen Faces Challenges Amid Revamp of EV Lineup and Strategy Shift

Stellantis Unveils STLA Frame Platform for Future SUVs and Trucks

Mazda Prepares to Revive EV Ambitions with New SUV in 2027

Jaguar’s Bold New Era: Introducing the Type 00

BMW Teases the Future of M: Quad-Motor Electric Prototypes Signal New Era of Performance

EU Invests $1 Billion to Strengthen Domestic EV Battery Industry and Reduce Dependence on China

Italian Parts Supplier Group Saves Recaro Automotive

The Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed has a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo – 0-100km/h in 3.6 Seconds!

BMW’s Automated Driving In-Plant System Moves Closer to Full Implementation

Mercedes Envisions Revolutionary Mid-Mounted Brakes for Electric Vehicles

Volkswagen Faces Challenges Amid Revamp of EV Lineup and Strategy Shift

Stellantis Unveils STLA Frame Platform for Future SUVs and Trucks

Mazda Prepares to Revive EV Ambitions with New SUV in 2027

Jaguar’s Bold New Era: Introducing the Type 00

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