Author: Sofia
In a potentially significant shift for the Detroit automaker, General Motors is considering cylindrical battery cells for future EVs, according to TheElec, a battery-focused South Korean trade publication. GM has favored pouch cells created with South Korean supplier LG Energy Solution, but could switch to the 4680-format cylindrical cells used by Tesla, the publication reported, adding that this has caused talks with LG Energy Solution over construction of a fourth battery plant for the Ultium Cells joint venture between the two companies to stall. 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 So far, Ultium Cells, which is backed by a…
Tesla has a number of other future products under development, it teased on Wednesday, as part of its quarterly update for investors. And while there’s no guarantee we’ll get an update on persistent rumors like the affordable Model 2, some of those upcoming products may be revealed as part of a March 1 Investor Day. With scaled-up Semi production due at the Nevada Gigafactory expansion announced this week, and a whopping 100 gigawatt-hours of additional cell production of its new 4680-format cylindrical cells due from a new factory on the complex, Tesla will have enough cells for 1.5 million light-duty…
The Honda Pilot was redesigned for the 2023, and part of the new lineup is a rugged TrailSport grade that benefits from some genuine off-road mods. We tested it both on and off the road, and now you can read our review. Porsche is working on a mid-cycle update for its Taycan electric sedan and wagon, and rumors point to the availability of a new performance flagship as part of the update. A Taycan prototype sporting a number of features designed to enhance track performance has been spotted, adding some credibility to the rumors. Lightyear has ceased production of its…
There are many colors to paint your vehicle, but no one can deny the allure of having an exciting purple supercar. While a new purple supercar may be a bit shocking for some, for many the point of having an exotic car is to turn heads. And with a fresh coat of purple paint, any supercar can accomplish that. Many automakers now offer purple paint for their supercars. For McLaren there is Lantana Purple; Lamborghini has Viola Parsifae; Porsche has Ultraviolet and the list goes on. Of course, many of these automakers offer more than just one shade of purple…
Tesla announced on Tuesday it will build a high-volume factory for its Semi as part of a planned $3.6 billion investment in the sprawling plant near Reno, Nevada, known as Gigafactory Nevada. The Semi went into limited production late last year at Tesla’s plant near Austin, Texas, but the reservation process for the Class 8 semi-trailer truck was closed last August, just months after it started. It means only some early customers, like Pepsi, have taken delivery. An update on the Semi program is expected during Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings call later today. A new battery factory at the Nevada site is…
General Motors has moved to protect the name “LTX” for use on engines designed for automobiles. A search of the database of the United States Patent and Trademark Office reveals GM filed for trademark protection for LTX on Jan. 10, specifically for use on engines for “automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks and vans.” That’s a little more than a week prior to its Jan. 20 announcement of an $854 million investment in production for a next-generation small-block V-8. However, the LTX name is more likely to be for a new aftermarket engine block for the current LT small-block V-8, as…
Lucid may be best known for its Air luxury electric sedan, but the California company started life as far back as 2007 as a supplier of EV technology to major OEMs under the name Atieva. Despite moving into car production, Lucid hasn’t abandoned its supply business and on Wednesday announced one of its latest deals: the supply of front motor-generators for the Formula E World Championship. Lucid has also previously supplied battery packs to Formula E. Lucid refers to the motor-generator as an electric drive unit, since the fully contained unit also comprises an inverter, differential, and transmission. The unit…
Tesla has confirmed a $3.6 billion expansion of its Nevada battery “Gigafactory” that the company claims will supply over one million EVs annually. The investment will add 3,000 new jobs and two new factories at the Sparks, Nevada, site, Tesla said in what reads as a press release—with a few more details confirmed as part of Tesla’s quarterly financial call Wednesday. One factory will be the first high-volume plant dedicated to producing batteries for the Tesla Semi, while the other will produce 4680-format battery cells, enough to supply 1.5 million light-duty vehicles annually. Tesla Semi (Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.) If…
Formula E is running with Lucid motors. Uber is looking for a spacious, lower-performance EV for ride-hailing. And the Civic Hybrid is next in Honda’s shift to about half hybrids. This and more, here at DriftBreath Reports. Honda has confirmed that the Civic Hybrid is due as a sedan and hatchback in 2024—and to be competitive, look for combined fuel economy in the vicinity of 50 mpg. And aside from the CR-V Fuel Cell, the brand still has no plans to offer plug-in hybrids anytime soon. The Gen 3 race car for Formula E takes tech from the production Lucid…
Volkswagen has been spotted testing an updated version of the ID.3, the compact hatch whose 2019 launch marked the arrival of VW’s ID family of electric vehicles. The updated ID.3 is confirmed for a debut in the spring, and while it isn’t expected to be added to VW’s U.S. lineup, its updates may eventually filter across to other ID models sold here. The visual tweaks will be minimal. The prototype sports a new front fascia, and we know from teaser sketches the interior will feature a revised dash with a larger infotainment screen spanning 12.0 inches, up from the current…