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In-wheel motors are now a much-discussed topic for performance electric vehicles, but Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the Porsche engineering company and father to Ferry Porsche, the founder of the Porsche sports car brand, worked on them over 100 years ago. At the turn of the 20th century, electric cars gave internal combustion a run for its money, and Ferdinand Porsche was experimenting with both technologies. On Apr. 14, 1900, an EV that the 24-year-old Porsche helped develop was unveiled at the Paris World’s Fair—and notably featuring in-wheel hub motors. Having previously designed an electric car in 1898, Porsche designed…

The Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan lineup shrinks from three grades to one for 2025, but gains a new limited-edition model. A single trim level replaces the previous Sprint, Ti, and Veloce grades. The Giulia Quadrifoglio performance model already departed earlier this year with a Super Sport special edition. That means the only available powertrain is now a 2.0-liter turbo-4 producing 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque. 2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia An 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is standard, along with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is still available. Alfa claims a 5.1-second 0-60 mph time and a 149-mph…

Hyundai is expanding an offer of free home chargers or public-charging credits for owners of the refreshed 2025 Ioniq 5 electric vehicle. This perk was previously offered to owners of the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N performance variant, but Hyundai confirmed Thursday that it’s now available to owners of other Ioniq 5 models as well. Customers can choose between a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 charger or a $400 public-charging credit for use at ChargePoint’s stations (it was originally $450 for Ioniq 5 N owners). ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 home charger for 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 The home…

ChargePoint aims to curtail vandalism at public electric vehicle charging stations by equipping them with cut-resistant cables and alarm systems. The company unveiled both features Thursday, confirming that cut-resistant cables will be available for all of its “commercial and fleet charging stations.” It also plans to license the cut-resistant cable design—which uses a novel mix of materials the company claims is more difficult to tamper with—to other charging-equipment manufacturers starting in the middle of this year. But it’s unclear if existing stations can be retrofitted with the new cables. Porsche Macan EV at ChargePoint charger Existing owners of certain charging…

Ram has reportedly canceled plans for its 1500 REV with a 229-kwh, 500-mile range battery The electric truck, due in 2026, is said to be offered exclusively with a 168-kwh, 350-mile range battery Ram will direct long-range customers to its 1500 Ramcharger series plug-in hybrid, which has 690 miles of range Ram’s electric version of its 1500 pickup truck seemingly won’t deliver the long-promised 500 miles of range. The information was first reported on Jan. 15 by Mopar Insiders. A Stellantis spokesperson responded by saying Ram has decided to launch the Ramcharger plug-in hybrid pickup first due to shifts in customer…

Stellantis has cancelled a bigger-battery version of the Ram 1500 REV electric pickup truck that the automaker previously said would offer 500 miles of range. According to a Wednesday Mopar Insiders report, the truck brand is now telling suppliers that the long-range model has been cancelled, and to cease work and spending on any parts related to it. A source within the automaker later confirmed to DriftBreath Reports that the bigger pack has been shelved. 2025 Ram 1500 REV That leaves the 168-kwh pack—also double-layer—which Ram previously estimated would deliver up to 350 miles of range. That’s less than the…

Ineos Automotive announced late Thursday that production of the rugged Grenadier SUV and Grenadier Quartermaster pickup truck has resumed at the vehicles’ plant in Hambach, France. Production was paused last September after the Grenadier’s seat supplier, Recaro Automotive, ceased production in July due to insolvency. Italian seat manufacturer Proma Group stepped in, agreeing to take over Recaro and restart production in a last-minute deal reached last month. This paved the way for Ineos to resume production at its own plant. “This is a great start to the year for us, one I strongly believe will be our best yet and…

Mitsubishi is developing a new Pajero Sport, the current generation of which is sold as the Montero Sport in some markets Sales of the midsize SUV are expected to start in 2026, though a U.S. launch is unlikely Mitsubishi may also be planning a new version of the larger Pajero/Montero, thanks to a new partnership with Honda and Nissan Mitsubishi has been spotted testing a new generation of the Pajero Sport, a midsize SUV with body-on-frame construction that, in some markets, is sold as the Montero Sport. Some U.S. readers will recall the original Montero Sport of the early 2000s,…

Slovenia’s Elaphe is emphasizing performance applications for its in-wheel electric motors. At CES 2025, the company unveiled the Sonic 1, a thin electric motor it claims is compatible with high-performance brakes. That can be difficult with in-wheel motors, as they occupy the same real estate as brake hardware. Slimming down the motor allows for larger 400-millimeter brake rotors to be packaged together with motor hardware within a 21-inch front wheel, Elaphe claims in a press release. The Sonic 1 is intended for EVs or hybrids. It generates 268 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque by default, but can be tuned…

Manthey-Racing has a new upgrade package for the 991-generation 911 GT2 RS The upgrades focus on the aerodynamics and chassis, rather than the powertrain Manthey has also launched a similar upgrade package for the 992-generation 911 GT3 RS The 991-generation Porsche 911 GT2 RS, offered from 2018-2020, is already among the fastest production cars around a racetrack, but there are still owners who want it to be faster. Companies like Manthey-Racing are ready to deliver, having announced a new upgrade package for the car that focuses on aerodynamic and chassis improvements. Known as the Manthey Kit, it can be ordered…