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The 2024 Cadillac Celestiq EV flagship is a step toward the future for the General Motors luxury brand, but it also resurrects a bit of the past in the form of the Cadillac Goddess mascot. A relic of the days when hood ornaments were fashionable, the Cadillac Goddess appeared on the hoods of various models from 1930 to 1956, and made a brief comeback on the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. It isn’t being used as a hood ornament anymore (that probably wouldn’t be great for aerodynamics, though the issue hasn’t stopped Rolls-Royce from using one) but the same female figure does…
Teslas have generally held their value better than other electric cars, but used Tesla prices are now dropping fast, according to a recent Reuters report. The average price of a used Tesla in November 2022 was $55,754, down 17% from a July peak of $67,297, according to the report. In comparison, overall average used car prices dropped 4% during the same period, the report noted. Turning to another important metric, the average amount of time used Teslas had spent on dealer lots in November 2022 was 50 days, much higher than the overall average of 38 days for used cars,…
Which automaker revealed one of the most aerodynamic SUVs in the world? Which states recently joined California in banning gas-only vehicles by 2035? This is our look back at the Week In Reverse—right here at DriftBreath Reports—for the week ending December 30, 2022. Our biggest, albeit most confusing, piece of news this week came on Thursday, as the U.S. Treasury Department released another round of guidance. It confirms that buyers of some EVs will qualify for a full $7,500 EV tax credit starting January 1—although potentially only through March. And a new loophole may allow automakers with EVs made outside…
A new trademark filing may be a sign Infiniti is preparing to launch an SUV positioned between its QX60 and QX80 models. As first noticed by Car Buzz, Infiniti parent Nissan filed trademark protection for “QX65” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 22, 2022, for use on land vehicles. Similar to the QX55 name that Infiniti uses for a coupe-like version of the QX50 crossover, the QX65 name may indicate a coupe-like version of the QX60 SUV is coming. Automakers will often trademark a name without the intention of using it to safeguard the name should…
When a video game franchise decides to build its next in-game hero car in the real world, you’d assume this process would take many months, many meetings, and many buzzwords that in no way relate to car culture or gaming. But this isn’t Need for Speed’s first rodeo. And when you gather a team of die-hard automotive enthusiasts together – including people from EA Games and Speedhunters – the end result isn’t always dictated by brand perception or OEM objectives. No, its main purpose is incredibly simple: to inspire gamers and car fans all around the world. Throw it all…
Ask any Porsche collector what their favorite color is, and aside from Guards Red, the answer will be PTS. What does PTS stand for? Paint to sample. A Paint To Sample Porsche 911 is just what it sounds like. If you want a car that is truly yours, the process is not complex. It opens the door to special events, and opportunities to reserve limited-run models before they are announced. What is Paint To Sample? The Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur program can make it a reality if you can dream it. In the early days, a dealer would note “Sunderwunsch”, or…
Lucid has made it easier to hop behind the wheel of its 819-hp, 516-mile Air Grand Touring sedan. The EV startup this week announced a new starting price of $138,000, down from $154,000 previously. To achieve the lower price, Lucid removed some standard features and made them available, thus giving buyers more flexibility when it comes to configuring the car. This flexibility is already found with the lower Air Pure and Air Touring grades, which start at $87,400 and $107,400, respectively. Previously standard features on the Air Grand Touring that are now available include the DreamDrive Pro driver-assist package ($10,000),…
The Volkswagen MEB platform that has served as the backbone for the automaker’s EV push is set to get a number of updates over the next few years. The updated version, dubbed MEB+, will incorporate charging and battery updates, as well as an electrical architecture designed to support more advanced driver-assist tech, according to VW. 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 A new generation of so-called “unit cell” batteries will enable up to 435 miles of range (likely as measured on the more lenient European WLTP testing cycle), VW explained. The automaker also claims MEB+ will “significantly improve charging times,” and may feature…
Rivian takes a look at the building blocks for its upcoming dual-motor electric trucks. Nio might have the most aerodynamic SUV ever. And we look at Lucid’s interface, and its continuous improvement, up close. This and more, here at DriftBreath Reports. The Lucid Air remains the technology leader among EVs, with astonishing range, power, and efficiency. And we just checked in with Lucid’s user interface, which has been given an invisible overhaul via software and over-the-air upgrades—and continues to improve, sometimes by the day. Rivian this week previewed the drive modules for the dual-motor powertrain it plans to make the…
Motional, the self-driving technology joint venture between Hyundai and Aptiv, plans to launch a robotaxi service in Las Vegas in late 2023, and a new video shows the unique challenges the city presents. Motional’s robotaxis, based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric car, have been able to offer rides to the public in Las Vegas since last August, and the vehicles have been available for booking via Lyft and more recently Uber in limited form. Unique challenges they face in Sin City include unpredictable pedestrian behavior, unusual vehicle types (like limousines), and chaotic hotel driveways. Motional’s robotaxis are fitted with…