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Vinfast says that it’s delivering its first U.S.-market EVs to customers tomorrow. A study suggests that brake and tire pollution may exceed that from tailpipes. And the Rivian R1T is making owners very happy. This and more, here at DriftBreath Reports. New results out this morning from survey giant J.D. Power suggest Rivian is doing very well with the ownership experience—especially in setting expectations for range. The Rivian R1T, Mini Cooper SE, and Kia EV6 were among the top-ranked EVs, with the Model 3 following those. Vinfast has cut the lease prices for its VF 8 and VF 9, and…
Pricing information for the redesigned 2024 Ford Mustang is now live on Ford’s website. The cheapest new Mustang is the EcoBoost Fastback, which starts at $32,515 with the mandatory $1,595 destination charge. EcoBoost models use a 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine that generates 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, and are only available with a 10-speed automatic transmission. A standard limited-slip differential helps meter the flow of power to the rear wheels. A 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen are standard as well, along with rear parking sensors, but buyers still only get manually adjusted front seats. 2024 Ford…
Rivian has made its biggest battery, a 180-kwh unit dubbed the Max Pack, available on its R1S SUV for the first time. Previously limited to the R1T pickup truck, the Max Pack battery can now be ordered on the R1S for fall delivery. Like on the R1T, the Max Pack on the R1S can only be configured with a Dual-Motor powertrain. The R1S has an available Quad-Motor powertrain, though this option is offered exclusively with a 135-kwh Large Pack battery. Rivian has said that it plans to make the Max Pack available with an enhanced Quad-Motor powertrain at a later…
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is a three-row vehicle in that it literally has three rows of seats, but to lump it in with other large, luxury three-row vehicles would be generous. Quite simply, that third row and the amount of cargo space behind it are barely usable. Mercedes’ own GLS-Class is far more functional, which means that the EQS SUV is hardly the all-electric answer to the biggest Benz SUV. In terms of cargo area specs, I have absolutely no idea what the EQS SUV supposedly provides. The official specs show only the 5-passenger version and even then lists 22.7…
Polestar is deep in the development of its Polestar 5, a Porsche Taycan rival previewed by 2020’s Precept concept. The new car is set to begin sales in 2025, likely as a 2026 model. Initial development work on the sleek electric sedan was handled at Polestar’s R&D center in the U.K., and now the latest prototypes are out testing in public view. When Polestar showed the Precept, it claimed the concept represented the future design direction for the brand. Judging by our latest spy shots, the production Polestar 5 will closely resemble the show car It has the same fastback…
Rivian on Tuesday confirmed that it will be delivering Max Pack versions of its R1S electric SUV, in Dual Motor form, starting this fall. According to Rivian, the R1S Max Pack will accelerate to 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds and offer three rows of seating. With the announcement, part of a quarterly financial update for shareholders released Tuesday, the company said that it will soon provide an update on how those with a preorder can update it to the Max Pack version. Rivian Enduro drive unit Max Pack models will include a pair of Rivian’s Enduro single-motor…
Mini is developing an electric crossover to slot in below the Countryman. It was previewed last July by the Aceman concept and is expected to carry that name into production. We now have the first video of a prototype, which was taken during a recent cold-weather test. Historic Italian brand Lancia is readying a trio of electric cars, the first of which will arrive as soon as 2024 as a redesign for Lancia’s sole model at present, the Ypsilon. The other two cars will include a modern Delta and a new as-yet unnamed flagship. Nissan and Infiniti together will launch…
Quick Facts About Car Subscription Services Five years ago, automaker vehicle subscription services seemed like the next big thing for acquiring a car. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Cadillac, Volvo, and Porsche jumped into this new brand-sponsored leasing-renting hybrid strategy. Mercedes curtailed its program in 2020, while BMW, Audi, and Cadillac discontinued theirs in 2021. The departures left Volvo and Porsche as the last carmakers standing. However, in an announcement at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai breathed some new life into the subscription concept by announcing its Evolve+ EV Subscription Program. Although it takes a somewhat different tack than the more…
Honda has a redesigned CR-V on sale for 2023, but the version featured here won’t appear in showrooms. It’s a one-off build developed by Honda Performance Development, both as a promotional tool and a rolling laboratory. Called the CR-V Hybrid Racer, it’s built around a custom frame and packs the new hybrid powertrain Honda is developing for IndyCar. The open-wheel series is set to introduce hybrid powertrains in 2024. The powertrain combines Honda’s current twin-turbo 2.2-liter V-6 IndyCar engine with a driver-activated Empel electric motor-generator. Instead of storing the electrical energy in a battery, the setup relies on a Skeleton…
In January, Renault CEO Luca de Meo opened up about plans for global expansion, with sub-brand Alpine given the role of planting flags in North America and China. As startup brands are finding of late, not only is making cars difficult, servicing them without an easily accessible network is a costly pain. Tesla’s been at it for a decade and Tesla owners still face a particular set of challenges. With de Meo looking for the best way into the U.S. market, AutoNation might have opened the front gate. Automotive DriftBreath reports that the Renault chief has been in talks with…