2017 Subaru Forester XT Touring Subaru has issued a recall for its Forester for a sensor in the passenger seat that can cause the airbags to deactivate. The recall affects 35,806 Subaru Forester vehicles from model years 2015 to 2018.Some Subaru vehicles are fitted with occupant detection, which works by sensing if a person is sitting in the passenger seat and readying affiliated systems, like the airbag, if it needed to deploy.The recall states the electrical connection for the occupant detection system (ODS) could become loose over time and become disconnected. If the part becomes disconnected, it could leave the airbag for that passenger turned off in a crash, potentially causing serious injury.While the recall affects a relatively small number of vehicles here in Canada, in the United States, 366,282 Forester SUVs could experience the issue.Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require the use of an ODS to determine if the occupant sitting in the passenger seat is of adequate size to be protected by the airbag in a crash. Many of the newer systems do not use weight to measure if there is a person sitting in the seat, but rather an Electrostatic Capacitance Sensor that changes based on the electrical charge in a persons body. This way, the airbag will not be activated if a box or bag is placed on the seat.Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail and instructed to take the vehicle to a dealer to inspect the ODS sensor mat harness. If the part is found to be faulty, it will be replaced.To see if your vehicle is affected, visit Subaru.ca and type in the VIN of your Subaru, or call
Origin: Subaru recalls almost 35,000 Foresters because airbags may not go off
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New Porsche Taycan 4S unveiled with £83,000 price
Porsche has made its new Taycan EV much more attainable with the addition of a new 4S trim underneath the existing Turbo and Turbo S. The new model is available to order now from £83,367 (excluding the £3500 government grant) and is expected to arrive for UK deliveries in January alongside the Turbo and Turbo S. While it doesn’t get the 751bhp of the £138,000 Taycan Turbo S, the 4S still puts out 523bhp during overboost in standard form. It also gets a 79.2kWh battery for a WLTP certified range of 252 miles. However, Porsche also offers a Performance Battery Plus option pack, which raises peak power to 563bhp and increases the battery output to 93.4kWh. While the 0-62mph time is unchanged from the standard 4S at 4.0sec, the range is boosted to 287 miles – the highest figure in the current Taycan line-up. The Performance Battery Plus also gets a faster peak charging rate, at 270kW to the base car’s 225kW. Much of the 4S’s technical make-up is the same as pricier Taycans, with two electric motors across both axles for four-wheel drive and a two-speed transmission for acceleration. However, the rear motor is 80mm shorter than it is in the Turbo and Turbo S, while it also receives smaller brakes, down to 360mm and six pistons on the front and 358mm and four pistons at the rear. Exterior styling changes include smaller 19in wheels, red painted calipers and a revised bodykit including a different front apron, side sills and rear diffuser. Dynamic LED lights remain standard fitment. Part-leather is standard, but Porsche also offers a leather-free cabin with recycled materials. As with other Taycans, it comes with three years of access to Ionity’s rapid chargers and the Porsche Charging Service. Customers also receive a driving experience at the brand’s Silverstone Experience
Origin: New Porsche Taycan 4S unveiled with £83,000 price
BMW, Rolls and Toyota Supra backup camera recall impacts 250,000 new vehicles
2020 Toyota SupraHandout / Toyota BMW is recalling more than a quarter of a million cars in North America for a software glitch that may prevent the backup camera feed from displaying when the car is put in reverse.There may be up to 51 affected BMW-built models stretching back to model year 2020, including the 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom and 2019 Cullinan SUV; the 2020 Toyota Supra and twin BMW Z4; and various trims of the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series and 8 Series from 2018 to 2020, including some M performance and xDrive variants.The model year 2018 thru 2020 BMW X3 SUV is also affected, as is the 2019 and 2020 BMW X4, X5, X6 and X7 SUV. Adjusting the back-up camera display settings in some of these vehicles will render the rearview image no longer visible, and it may keep that setting the next time the car is put into reverse, too. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified beginning in November, and dealers will update the cars software.Nissan and Infiniti recently recalled more than 1.2 million vehicles for a similar
Origin: BMW, Rolls and Toyota Supra backup camera recall impacts 250,000 new vehicles
Ford’s new 2020 Super Duty can tow 37,000 lbs, thanks to 1,050 lb.-ft. of torque
The 2020 F-Series Super Duty is delivering next-level capability in an all-new way – the Tremor Off-Road Package. Tremor pushes the boundaries of Super Duty off-road capability with new hardware and tech to handle rough terrain, providing greater towing and payload than Ram Power Wagon. This is the most capable off-road Super Duty ever. Fords new 2020 Super Duty has taken the title for best-in-class towing, the automaker says, boasting its truck can haul a maximum 37,000 lbs (16,782 kg) on a gooseneck trailer.Equip your pickup with the venerable 6.7-litre Power Stroke diesel and you should theoretically be able to lug 32,500 lbs (14,741 kg) if youre using a fifth wheel; or 24,200 lbs (10,976 kg) via a conventional hitch.The mill pulls it off thanks to 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb.-ft. of torque.The Super Duty also comes available with a 6.2-litre gasoline V8, good for 385 hp and 430 lb.-ft. of torque, which give it a best-in-class payload rating of 7,850 lbs (3,560 kg), Ford says. Finally, theres the new 7.3-litre gasoline V8, which boasts some pretty big output figures 430 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque but no class-leading moving-things capabilities, apparently. Specific payload and max towing capacities for all engines vary depending on body style and axle ratio.The 2020 Super Duty should hit Ford dealerships later this
Origin: Ford’s new 2020 Super Duty can tow 37,000 lbs, thanks to 1,050 lb.-ft. of torque
Rivian gets order from Amazon for 100,000 electric delivery vans
Electric vehicle startup Rivian has just taken an order from e-commerce retailer Amazon for 100,000 battery-powered delivery vans, with delivery of the first such vehicles to start 2021, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said September 19.By 2022, Rivian hopes to have shipped the first 10,000 of the vans to Amazon, a spokesperson told The Drive, will the full fleet of 100,000 operational by 2024.While the vehicles will be based on the Michigan-based automakers R1 platform and employ the same powertrain and battery, the suspension, application software and interior and exterior, all designed to Amazons specs, will be unique to that companys fleet. Rivian plans to optimize manufacturing by rolling out the vans on a separate assembly line in its Normal, Illinois plant so that it wont have to push back the late 2020 launch of its upcoming R1S and R1T SUV and
Origin: Rivian gets order from Amazon for 100,000 electric delivery vans
VW, Porsche recall about 227,000 over airbags, seatbelts
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan Volkswagen and Porsche are recalling a total of about 227,000 cars worldwide because a software glitch may cause the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners to go off even when not warranted.VW Tiguan and CC vehicles from model year 2015, as well as Porsche 911, Boxster, Cayman and Panamera models from model years 2015 and 2016, may be affected by the issue, Reuters quotes German newspaper Stuttgarter Zeitung.In affected vehicles, a bug in the airbag control unit may cause the airbags to go off for no reason. Dealers are planning to update the software in those cars. Roughly 23,500 of the total number of vehicles affected are
Origin: VW, Porsche recall about 227,000 over airbags, seatbelts
Amazon orders 100,000 electric vans from start-up Rivian
Internet shopping giant Amazon has given a further boost to EV start-up Rivian by placing an order with the company for 100,000 electric delivery vehicles. The fledging manufacturer is aiming to produce a range of go-anywhere 4×4 EVs built on its own bespoke platform, showcasing the R1 SUV and R1T pick-up at last year’s Los Angeles motor show. Rivian has attracted high profile investments from firms including Ford, with which it is working on future vehicle development, and Amazon. The internet retailer invested $440 million (£350 million) to lead a $700 million (£544 million) investment round in Rivian earlier this year, and has now furthered those links with the massive order, which it says is the largest ever made in an electric delivery vehicle. Amazon says that the first Rivan-built vans will go into service in 2021, with the plan to have 10,000 on the road by 2022 and all 100,000 in operation by 2030. The order was announced by Amazon as it unveiled the Climate Pledge, calling on signatories to reach net zero carbon by 2040, 10 years ahead of the targets set by the Paris Accord. Amazon said that the investment and vehicle order in Rivian would “accelerate the production of electric vehicles critical to reducing emissions from transportation”. While no details of the technical specifications of the van, preview images released by Amazon showed it badged with the firm’s Prime delivery service, and ‘powered by Rivian’ on the side sill. That suggests they could be made on Rivian’s bespoke EV platform to a body design specified by Amazon. The retailer has long been looking for ways to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of its delivery operation, particularly in terms of ‘last mile’ deliveries to customers in cities. Switching to electric vans would both cut fuel costs and ensure Amazon vehicles were not affected by low emissions zones increasingly being established in cities. There is no indication where the vans will be deployed, although they are likely to focus on major cities in the USA. The order is a huge boost to Rivian as it gears up to start production at a plant in Illinois, in a facility previously used by Mitsubishi. The plant has a capacity to produce 350,000 units per year, with Rivian’s initial goal to sell 50,000-60,000 of its premium electric off-roaders per year by 2025. With an increasing focus on car pollution in cities, and the costs of fuelling large van fleets, an increasing number of car firms are developing electric vans. Nissan has the e-NV200, Vauxhall is developing an electric Vivaro, and Mercedes-Benz is working on a new version of its e-Vito. Volkswagen is also planning a cargo version of its ID Buzz
Origin: Amazon orders 100,000 electric vans from start-up Rivian
U.K. man spends three years, $47,000 fighting $165 speeding ticket
A British man is dedicated to fighting the system after receiving a 100 ($165) speeding ticket he believes was wrongly issued, throwing more than $45,000 at the cause so far.Richard Keedwell, 71, received a fine for traveling 57 km/h in a 50 km/h zone in November of 2016, while Christmas shopping with his wife.I never saw the flash of the camera and I certainly didnt feel like I was doing faster than (50 km/h), Keedwell, of Bristol, told The Telegraph. I was incredibly annoyed when I got the fine through the post.Richard is a former RAF electronics specialist, and says the only reason he got a ticket was because of the double Doppler effect, wherein a speed camera receives two different signals due to the radio waves bouncing off of a second car and then onto his own, causing it to trigger the camera. Although, allegedly, neither car travelling through the intersection exceeded 50 km/h, the camera was triggered.According to The Telegraph, Richard is also an expert witness, and claims he has used this argument in court before. In 2015, he successfully used it to show a van driver was wrongly ticketed for doing 137 km/h in a 50-km/h zone due to the double Doppler effect.Unfortunately for Keedwell, his arguments arent working so well in his pursuing his own case. Even worse, legal fees are not cheap, and in fighting for his rights and the rights of motorists, hes racked up 22,000 ($36,212) in lawyers invoices across three hearings, even dipping into a fund set aside for his childrens inheritance to cover the costs. But when you start looking into this, you realize that its more about them getting money than road safety, Keedwell reasons, believing British motorists are being steamrolled by the system.Richard has since paid the ticket, but still has 6,700 ($11,028) in additional legal fees to settle as he decides whether or not to launch yet another appeal.Ordinary working people like me are getting done over by the system, he says. I have not been listened to and there has not been any justice in this
Origin: U.K. man spends three years, $47,000 fighting $165 speeding ticket
Ford recalling more than 23,000 SUVs in Canada for seats that cut
2017 Ford Explorer Ford is recalling some 23,380 Explorer SUVs in Canada because the sharp edges of the front seat frames have been cutting passengers hands as they reach down to adjust it.In North America, a total of roughly 338,300 Explorers from model year 2017 equipped with power seats are affected by the issue.The sharp seat frame edges have led to Ford so far fielding some 31 reports of people cutting their hands as they reached down between the power front seat and the center console, the automaker said September 13.Dealers will add flocked tape to the exposed edge and tab on the inboard side of the power seat frames. Ford told customers that, in the interim, they should use caution and avoid contact with the seat frame edge until the repair is
Origin: Ford recalling more than 23,000 SUVs in Canada for seats that cut
Volkswagen’s sub-£18,000 small EV due in 2023
Volkswagen is committed to launching an entry-level sub-£18,000 electric ID ‘people’s car’ – but company boss Herbert Diess has admitted there is a long way to go before it can offer enough range to make it viable. Autocar exclusively revealed the firm’s plans to develop an entry level small hatchback on its new MEB architecture earlier this year. The machine, set to be called the ID 1 or 2 in keeping with the numbering convention for the firm’s new electric car range, will be comparable in size to the Volkswagen Polo. Volkswagen has set a price target of under €20,000 euros for the machine. Speaking at this year’s Frankfurt motor show, where VW unveiled the Golf-sized ID 3 and a major brand revamp, Diess said the small car “make a lot of sense” from an environmental standpoint. But he said the production version was unlikely to arrive before 2023. But he added: “There’s a long way to go. It’s really tough to get a decent range for a car under €20,000.” When Volkswagen confirmed the nomenclature for its ID range at the pre-booking launch of the ID 3, sales boss Jurgen Stackmann noted that calling the first Golf-sized model the 3 allowed for the range to be expanded with both smaller and larger models. With the Golf-sized model taking the ID 3 tag, the Polo-sized entry level car will be called the ID 1, and accompanied by an ID 2 compact crossover SUV. Stackmann noted that the larger ID models, based on the already seen Crozz (set to be called the ID 4), Buzz, Vizzion and Roomzz concepts, would be the next cars to reach production, but emphasised the firm’s commitment to making genuinely affordable electric cars. “In the long term we clearly need to scale down and be more aggressive on prices,” said Stackmann. “That will be a scale of industrialisation, and it will take some time until we bring it into classes.” Said to be part of a modern-day ‘people’s car’ project, the compact crossover utility vehicle was confirmed by product strategy head Michael Jost. It will arrive by 2023, or 2024 “at the latest”. The compact five-seater will have a raised ride height and exterior dimensions similar to the existing combustion-engined T-Roc, forming part of Volkswagen’s upcoming line-up of I.D. battery-powered models that will kick off with the launch of the ID 3 hatchback in 2020. Previously, Volkswagen chairman Herbert Diess indicated the cost could be as low as €20,000, or just £17,400 in the UK. Jost also confirmed that price point, while saying “we build cool electric cars that are fun to drive, beautifully designed and fully networked”. The keen pricing for what will be the fifth I.D. model after the ID 3 and production versions of the Crozz, Buzz and Vizzion concepts is a crucial component in a broader plan at Volkswagen to create a contemporary, new electric-powered people’s car in a move aimed at mirroring the success of the original Beetle and its indirect successor – the Golf. Diess, the architect of Volkswagen’s electric car strategy, recently claimed engineers are working on a car conceived to be priced at half that of the Tesla Model 3 without naming the secret new electric-powered crossover, suggesting it would be on sale within four years. Autocar has been told the idea behind the new ID model is to create a car with classless design appeal, outstanding interior space within a compact footprint and the sort of affordability to allow it to appeal to a wide number of car buyers in all of Volkswagen’s existing markets. As with Volkswagen’s other ID models, it is based around the company’s new MEB (Modularen Electrik Baukasten – modular electric architecture) platform with a front-mounted electric motor together with a battery of sufficient capacity to provide a range well over the claimed 186 miles of today’s e-Golf. To keep the price down, it will likely be offered exclusively in front-wheel drive guise, with a series of connectivity options set to be offered as optional equipment. Together with the primary Volkswagen version, the new zero-emission crossover five-door has been conceived to sire similar models from Audi, Seat and Skoda. Production will take place at Volkswagen’s Emden manufacturing plant in Germany, a site which currently produces the Passat and Arteon, with capacity set to top 300,000 units a year. Insiders at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg headquarters suggest plans are to switch production of the next-generation Passat and Arteon to Skoda’s Kvasiny plant run in the Czech Republic, which currently produces the Superb, or possibly even a brand-new greenfield site in Bulgaria. The decision to use the Emden plant for the production of the junior ID models means Volkswagen will have installed capacity for well over 1 million electric vehicles by 2022, with its existing Zwickau and Hannover commercial vehicle plants in Germany, as well as joint venture factories operated with SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) in Shanghai and FAW (First Automobile
Origin: Volkswagen’s sub-£18,000 small EV due in 2023
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