Author: admin
Ford plans to make LFP batteries for EVs and will soon put them in Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. A battery issue has halted Lightning production. All eyes are on Tesla and whether it will open up its Supercharger hardware. And Volkswagen is back to old messaging on plug-in hybrids. This and more, here at DriftBreath Reports. Ford Monday confirmed a Michigan battery plant that, starting in 2026, will make cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) EV batteries using tech from China’s CATL. In the meantime, the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning are set to get this tech over the next year.…
Ram’s mid-size Dakota pickup truck (originally a Dodge Dakota) bowed out of production in 2011, and the automaker has now provided the first hint that a modern successor may be in the works. When asked by Pickup Truck + SUV Talk at last week’s Chicago auto show about the fate of a modern Dakota, Ram CEO Mike Koval said he plans to show something along those lines at a dealer meeting taking place in Las Vegas in late March. Rumor has it Koval is planning to show a concept of a mid-size pickup with an electrified powertrain. Koval starts talking…
When it comes to a daily driver, comfort is key. As car enthusiasts, nothing compares to the feeling of driving a powerful high-performance machine. However, long hauls and daily errands can be a complete hassle in cars like these, as much as we love them. What with cramped seating space, a severe lack of storage, and performance-oriented suspension with seats that are less than optimal for long hauls, even our favorite performance cars are less than ideal choices for traffic jams, long drives, and demanding commutes. The best cars for these everyday endeavors are ones that are practical and comfortable,…
Volkswagen has in recent years seen hybrids and plug-in hybrids as slowing the U.S. shift to EVs. But that may no longer be the case. At the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America Pablo Di Si told DriftBreath Reports plug-in hybrids are back in consideration for the U.S. Di Si said the more options on the table the better because “we take CO2 and emissions seriously, and this is another solution.” During a media roundtable, Volkswagen of America Senior Vice President of Sales Hein Schafer showed a presentation slide with two columns: one with…
The GMC Hummer EV knows how ludicrous of a concept it is (An electric revival of the quintessential gas-guzzler? You must be kidding), and it leans into the bit completely. Heck, GMC dubs the truck’s launch control setup Watts to Freedom (WTF) mode. With it engaged, this 1000-hp, tri-motor behemoth claws its way to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. If that’s not enough for you, take a look at the Hummer’s Extract Mode, which raises the truck nearly 16 inches off the ground, or its Crab Walk mode that, thanks to a four-wheel steering system, allows the truck to drive…
Electric Car Battery Warranty Quick Facts Electric car warranties are similar to bumper-to-bumper coverage on gas-powered cars, plus an additional warranty for the battery. Hybrid and EV battery warranties last at least eight years or 100,000 miles, which is longer than most manufacturer powertrain warranties. According to some studies, total battery failure is uncommon, but electric car batteries degrade and lose 5-10% of their life in the first five years. Electric car battery replacement typically happens when capacity falls below 70-75% while under warranty, depending on the manufacturer. New technologies bring new questions, and there are plenty surrounding electric vehicles…
Ford has applied for a patent on a solid-axle and hub-motor combination for EVs remarkably similar to what the automaker dismissed as nonviable for its F-150 Lightning pickup truck. As detailed in the application, which was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Feb. 9, a solid axle similar to what is currently used in many current pickups would be teamed with in-hub motors. One hub-motor assembly would be mounted at each wheel, giving the vehicle all-wheel drive. Clutches would control the distribution of torque, enabling 100% of the torque from one motor to be sent to…
Ferrari entered the SUV game last fall with the arrival of the Purosangue, a model that serves as the replacement for the GTC4 Lusso hatchback and at present is available exclusively with V-12 power. In an interview with Bloomberg published on Monday, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said the SUV has proven much more popular than the automaker predicted, with order books filling four times faster than what Ferrari had planned. It means anyone placing an order today will have to wait until late 2024 or later to take delivery. Despite the strong demand, Ferrari has no plans to drastically boost…
Before most can get their driver’s license, the dreams of owning a sports car begin. The idea of driving a fun, fast, and cool-looking vehicle is one that has been in the minds of many ever since this specific genre of the automobile was created. Because of the popularity of the sports car, automakers have created many different types over the years to meet the demands of their customers. This popularity has led to a large number of sports cars that are in the marketplace, each with its own unique features and styling. Below are our top 50 best sports…
The European Parliament on Tuesday approved legislation that will ban by 2035 the sale of new cars and vans that emit C02 emissions, which means vehicles still equipped with an internal-combustion engine will effectively be banned from sale across the European Union. The rule calls for 55% less CO2 emissions from new cars by 2030 versus 2021 levels as an interim goal, and eventually the 100% target by 2035. For vans, it will be a 50% reduction by 2030 and 100% by 2035. The proposal to reduce CO2 from light vehicles 100% by 2035, which forms part of an overarching…