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Chinese auto giant BYD last week launched the new premium EV brand YangWang tasked with targeting top European automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. BYD also revealed during a Jan 5. launch event the first two products from YangWang: the U9 hypercar and U8 rugged SUV. Both vehicles are based on BYD’s Yisifang platform, which features a quad-motor all-wheel-drive system. The motors are individually controlled, which in the U8 enables the vehicle to not only perform a tank turn but also to move laterally without moving forward, unlike the Hummer EV’s Crab Walk, which moves the vehicle move forward along a…

Fast Facts 2022 BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (617hp @ 6,000 rpm, 553 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm) Eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined (EPA Rating, MPG) 16.1 city / 11.0 highway / 13.8 combined. (NRCan Rating, L/100km) Base Price: $130,995 US / $157,701 CAN As Tested: $163,095 US / $166,805 CAN Prices include $1000 destination charge in the United States and $3201 for freight, PDI, and A/C tax in Canada and, because of cross-border equipment differences, can’t be directly compared. Is it possible to be both overwhelmed and underwhelmed? Does…

Apollo, a relatively young German automaker, has unveiled perhaps its hottest design yet, the G2J, an all-electric electric sports coup. That said, if you’re looking to get your hands on the G2J, you’re out of luck. The vehicle is neither a concept nor a production car but instead a prototype for testing new ideas. Apollo has been working on the G2J for over two years now. Why bother building a prototype? The company is looking to test digital ecosystems, lightweight materials, and of course, electric powertrains. While many large automakers already have a lot of experience their belt, Apollo has…

The latest Mercedes C-Class saloon has given buyers looking for a compact executive car much to think about. It offers a sharp new look, heavily inspired by its bigger E-Class sibling, outstanding levels of comfort and strong on-board technology. All this, plus the C-Class features interior quality that puts much more expensive models to shame.If you factor in the improved efficiency of the mild-hybrid petrol and diesel versions, along with the introduction of new plug-in hybrid models, the C-Class makes a compelling case for itself and should be one to consider.About the Mercedes C-ClassOver recent years, the popularity of traditional…

Mercedes has announced its own charging network. Vinfast revealed more details about its smaller EVs. A heated seat belt could help unlock more winter-time EV range. And how will a Ram range-extended electric truck take form? This and more, here at DriftBreath Reports.  Stellantis’ Ram brand will soon offer a range-extended electric truck, the company confirmed last week. In a roundtable interview, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares emphasized that this is not a plug-in hybrid, but a range extender would need to deliver enough power for towing and hauling. Tavares also confirmed that it’s considering hydrogen fuel-cell heavy-duty pickups and vans…

Mazda is bringing back the rotary engine, but not as we know it. The automaker on Monday confirmed plans for a rotary range extender for electric versions of the MX-30. The compact crossover, which debuted in 2019, is also offered in some markets with a mild hybrid powertrain that relies on a 2.0-liter inline-4. The rotary-equipped MX-30 will debut on Jan. 13 at the 2023 Brussels auto show. Sales in Europe are scheduled to follow in the spring, though availability in the U.S. hasn’t been announced. 2022 Mazda MX-30 The MX-30 has been on sale in the U.S. since the…

You ready for another luxury EV startup? Of course not, but it’s here anyway, based in Milan and called Aehra. Italian-born company co-founder Hazim Nada has a background in commodities trading to go with a passion for physics. He says he noted plenty of Italian companies doing engineering and consulting work with EV makers, but Italy didn’t have a homegrown EV maker itself. He also felt the battery-electric products on the market and coming to market weren’t engaging in the “full utilization of all the possibilities that electric powertrains enable … in terms of innovative design, vehicle dynamics, materials, emotional…

Unveiled in November 2022, the Sterrato is the final and arguably wildest evolution of the Lamborghini Huracán. The limited-edition coupe isn’t scheduled to enter production until February 2023, but Autoblog got to check it out in the flesh at a preview event held in Denmark. The first all-terrain variant of the Huracán looks just as cool in person as it does in Lamborghini’s official photos. Seeing it up close reveals some of the finer design details that the press shots didn’t show, like the subtle “Sterrato” logo on both roof rails and the exposed bolts that hold on the wheel…

Hennessey has introduced a new track-focused version of its Venom F5 hypercar. The new addition is called the Revolution, and it promises 1,817 hp in a package that cuts 100 pounds off a curb weight already under 3,000 pounds. Just 24 will be built, each priced from $2.7 million. Less than a month after its debut model entered production, Dutch EV startup Lightyear has revealed a follow up that not only promises much more range but also a much lower price tag. The new model is due to enter production in 2025. The one-of-one 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE known…

Electric Trailer Brake Controller Basic Facts Electric trailer brakes don’t work without a brake controller There are two types of electric trailer brake controllers Government regulations require electric brakes on loads of 4,000 pounds or more Aftermarket trailer brake controllers are readily available Although most of us will never tow anything, for those who do, an electric trailer brake controller is an invaluable tool for safe, efficient towing. The heavier the towed load, the more critical the trailer brake controller becomes. If you own a newer full-size pickup truck or larger SUV, it likely has a trailer brake controller (TBC)…