The Tesla Model 3 PerformanceHandout / Tesla Teslas latest over-the-air update adds more performance to the sporty dual-motor Model 3, suggest new reports from owners.The update is available only on the dual-motor Model 3, according to Road Show, and can boost the cars acceleration off the line, leading to a new zero-to-60-mph (96 km/h) time of just 3.9 seconds. Thats 0.5 seconds faster than it used to be, and slots the vehicle just under the Model 3 Performances acceleration time of 3.3 seconds to 60 (96 km/h).There is a caveat to this boost in performance, however. The upgrade will cost US$2,000. Thats a lot of cheddar for a small boost in performance. If you were competing in real drag racing, half-a-second can mean winning or losing the race. But does it really matter when the vehicle is your daily driver? Is that significant an amount of money worth it for just a half-a-second better acceleration time? Users took to Reddit to describe their experiences, and they all seem to be pretty positive. The upgrade is described as noticeable, and worth it. People have even taken to calling updated vehicles 3D+.Tesla has not commented on the upgrade as of yet, but hopefully it will give some insight as to why the upgrade isnt free, and what exact changes were made to give the car its performance
Origin: Tesla reportedly offering a Model 3 acceleration boost for a small fee
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Fiat Chrysler reportedly looking at a merger with Peugeot
Peugeot e-Legend ConceptPeugeot Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is considering a merger with European conglomerate PSA, the group that owns Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal breaking late October.If the deal goes through, it could create a US$50-billion global Goliath of a company, with Peugeot CEO Carlos Tavares at the helm of the joint venture, says the Journal.FCA chairman John Elkmann would continue in his current role after the merger.Tavares is, among other things, credited with saving Opel from the dustbin. PSA purchased the brand from General Motors back in 2017, and the exec got Opel to turn a profit just 18 months later. PSA is hoping to break back into the U.S. markets, where it hasnt sold a car in more than 20 years. Its unclear how brand operations would be structured after the merger.FCA had previously tried to merge with another French car company, Renault, at the beginning of 2019. That deal would have seen FCA take over a 50-per-cent stake in that company, but instead, the deal fell apart when the French government, which has a 15-per-cent stake in Renault, got between the two automakers.Even before FCA courted Renault, PSA had originally talked about a merger with the Italian-American carmaker, but FCA rebuffed it; at the time, Fiat Chrysler execs felt as if a merger wouldnt solve any of its money problems in the weakening European market.PSA and Fiat Chrysler already build commercial vans together as a joint-venture; the products of that partnership include the Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroen
Origin: Fiat Chrysler reportedly looking at a merger with Peugeot
Mercedes-AMG’s One hypercar reportedly delayed two years
Mercedes-AMG Project OneHandout / Mercedes-Benz The F1-derived Mercedes-AMG One hypercar will reportedly see first deliveries pushed back from this year to 2021, according to a new report, due to complications with its high-revving engine.The powertrain behind the One is a 1.6-litre V6 paired to an electric turbocharger and working alongside an electric motor.A second electric motor on the crankshaft is meant to work as another power-adder, and then theres an electric motor on each front wheel.The package as a whole is more complex than Mercedes-AMG engineers first thought itd be, says reporting from Germanys Auto Motor und Sport, with the problem relating specifically to emissions; and to adapting some of the engines F1-derived technologies to the street.(For example, in the cars Formula One equivalent, the oil is typically heated before the engine is even started something not too feasible for a street car.)Customers who were thinking of forking over 3 million Euros ($4.5 million) for the One will apparently have to twiddle their thumbs for another two years, now, before the car shows up in their driveway. It sounds like itll be worth the
Origin: Mercedes-AMG’s One hypercar reportedly delayed two years
GMC’s rumoured Bronco-fighter reportedly shelved
Fords planned Bronco revival is making a lot of manufacturers step their game up in the 44 department, but one rival has reportedly already given up.According to Muscle Cars Trucks, citing unnamed sources inside GM, plans for a new GMC-exclusive SUV that would have gone toe-to-toe against the upcoming Bronco and set the brand apart from sibling Chevrolet have been axed.The new vehicle could have even been called the Jimmy, reviving a classic name from the brands history to create a halo model, but, yes, thats reportedly all off the table now, too.The vehicle would have rode on a new body-on-frame platform dubbed 32XX, which would have also underpinned the next-generation of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon small pickup trucks, but that platform has been cancelled.Instead, the next-generation of those trucks will use a heavily revised version of the 31XX platform, called the 31XX-2. GM is undergoing massive changes, and the death of a Bronco-buster is just one of the byproducts of the North American restructuring plan.GM is cutting costs like its slicing a Sunday roast, idling four U.S manufacturing plants, ending production of some of the biggest nameplates in the brand, and even possibly taking the Camaro off of the list to receive a new platform. A planned Z/28 trim for the current Camaro has allegedly also been written out of history.The only thing that could provide some hope is the possibility of the Bronco rival moving toward GMs battery-electric platform, which will underpin an upcoming pickup
Origin: GMC’s rumoured Bronco-fighter reportedly shelved
Ford reportedly wants to build a Subaru Outback competitor
The 2019 Ford Focus Active crossover.Handout / Ford Ford has a history of taking on the greats of the automotive world, but lately its been taking road car brands to task.First, Ford set its sights on the Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler market with its forthcoming Bronco and (rumoured) Bronco pickup, and now its targeting Subarus Outback.Weve long known Ford would be killing off most of its car lineup, leaving only the Mustang, F-Series truck and a few select crossovers, but were now learning the automaker also wants to merge three of its vehicles into a single competitor aimed at the Subaru Outback.According to Autocar, in Europe, the yet-to-be-named crossover will replace the Mondeo (Fusion), S-Max and the Galaxy, and will see Ford exit the minivan market as well as the large hatchback segment there. Underneath the new vehicle will be Fords A2 platform which currently underpins the Focus, an architecture thatll eventually be stretched to fit everything from the Fiesta to the Ford Edge SUV.The Subaru Outback isnt exactly a best-seller in Europe, but in North America, the off-road-capable wagon sells about 200,000 units annually, so its not hard to see why Ford would want part of that action. This new rumoured crossover will be sold globally, after all.Fords take on the ute will be powered by a gasoline 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo, connected to a 48-volt hybrid system. There will also be a 6d-compliant diesel option in Europe even less pollutant than a mild hybrid gasoline
Origin: Ford reportedly wants to build a Subaru Outback competitor
Ford is reportedly building a Bronco-based pickup truck
The new Ford Bronco hasnt even been seen in the flesh yet, and were already hearing rumours about possible offshoot versions, in particular a possible pickup variant to take on the new Jeep-truck.According to Automobile magazine, citing industry analyst AutoForecast Solutions, Ford will add an open bed to the not-yet-unveiled Bronco, with production of this pickup trim starting in July of 2024.Thats a full four years after the Bronco SUV is expected to debut.Now, like us, you make be confused, because the Bronco itself is built on the upcoming Ranger platform, which is already a pickup truck. Why a second truck take on the same platform? Possibly because boxy, retro-looking SUVs and trucks are in now, as evidenced by the coming-in-hot return of the Jeep Gladiator.If Ford is truly gunning for the Gladiator, that means the Bronco pickup will likely be a crew-cab, with a smaller bed in behind. Ford is allegedly also working on another, smaller version of the Bronco that could possibly be dubbed the Bronco Scout. If reports can be believed, that will be a small unibody truck based on the Ford Focus architecture. Its possible that vehicle will morph into another small pickup, maybe called the Courier.We have no doubt this truck will sell like hotcakes; the small pickup truck market is on fire right now, and Ford is understandably keen to throw its hats into as many rings as possible. The 2020 Ranger will have to fill the boots until 2024, when the appetite for small pickups will hopefully remain
Origin: Ford is reportedly building a Bronco-based pickup truck
Seventh-gen Chevrolet Camaro reportedly delayed, not cancelled
2018 Chevrolet Camaro ConvertibleHandout / Chevrolet Recent reports of the possible cancellation of the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro are being challenged by new information from GM Authority, which suggests the nameplate will live on and a seventh generation will happen but not for a few years.The sixth-generation Camaro currently rides on GMs Alpha platform, the same one underpinning the Cadillac ATS and CTS.But both those vehicles will soon be replaced by the CT4 and CT5 and sit on a new platform called A2XX, an evolution of the Alpha platform.The Camaro is not transitioning to the A2XX platform, which is what initially spurred rumours the pony car could be killed off completely. Now sources are instead saying the next gen will instead simply be delayed until further notice.Its most likely if the Camaro does stick around, it will move to the new VSSR platform, shared with the upcoming CT6, but since that wont be ready until 2023, the next Camaros development will also have to be put on hold.That means the current-gen Camaro will probably be sticking around for the foreseeable future, which is good, because Chevrolet still has a new special editions planned for the vehicle. Wed love to see a new Z/28, as well.The Camaro has fallen out of favour with enthusiasts lately, with the redesign of the classic face not sitting so well; and the lack of a budget V8 model dissuading entry-level buyers. Ford will have a redesigned version of their Mustang for 2021, and Dodge is also believed to be working on a next-generation Challenger, so hopefully Chevrolet doesnt fall too far behind by waiting until
Origin: Seventh-gen Chevrolet Camaro reportedly delayed, not cancelled
Seventh-gen Camaro reportedly delayed, not cancelled
2018 Chevrolet Camaro ConvertibleHandout / Chevrolet Recent reports of the possible cancellation of the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro are being challenged by new information from GM Authority, which suggests the nameplate will live on and a seventh generation will happen but not for a few years.The sixth-generation Camaro currently rides on GMs Alpha platform, the same one underpinning the Cadillac ATS and CTS, but both those vehicles will soon be replaced by the CT4 and CT5 and sit on a new platform called A2XX, an evolution of the Alpha platform.The Camaro is not transitioning to the A2XX platform, which is what initially spurred rumours the pony car could be killed off completely. Now sources are instead saying the next gen will instead simply be delayed until further notice.Its most likely if the Camaro does stick around, it will move to the new VSSR platform, shared with the upcoming CT6, but since that wont be ready until 2023, the next Camaros development will also have to be put on hold.That means the current-gen Camaro will probably be sticking around for the foreseeable future, which is good, because Chevrolet still has a new special editions planned for the vehicle. Wed love to see a new Z/28, as well.The Camaro has fallen out of favour with enthusiasts lately, with the redesign of the classic face not sitting so well; and the lack of a budget V8 model dissuading entry-level buyers. Ford will have a redesigned version of their Mustang for 2021, and Dodge is also believed to be working on a next-generation Challenger, so hopefully Chevrolet doesnt fall too far behind by waiting until
Origin: Seventh-gen Camaro reportedly delayed, not cancelled
Renault and Fiat Chrysler reportedly in talks over tie-up
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Renault are reported to be in ‘advanced discussions’ over a wide-ranging partnership, which could ultimately lead to the FCA Group joining the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. The talks, first reported by the Financial Times and subsequently by Reuters, are focused on the potential for co-operation between FCA and Renault, and are said to be at “an advanced stage”. The FT reports that Nissan has not been involved in the talks so far. FCA, Renault and Nissan have all declined to comment. FCA and Renault already have a partnership to product commercial vehicles, and have previously held talks over sharing platforms. It is understood those talks have now moved beyond technology sharing into a wider-ranging partnership. A source told Reuters that the talks could involve a transfer of equity between FCA and Renault, saying “this isn’t just another partnership.” If the two firms did take a stake in each other, it would be similar to the agreement between Renault and Nissan that led to the creation of the Alliance between the two firms, spearheaded by Carlos Ghosn, who served as chairman of both companies. The future of the Alliance is currently the subject of talks between the two car makers following Ghosn’s arrest in Japan on financial fraud chargers. The two firms could both benefit from a tie-up. FCA is strongest in North America, through its Jeep and Ram brands, where Renault has no presence. Conversely, FCA is some way behind its rivals with plans to develop electric cars, and could benefit from Renault and Nissan’s experience in this area. FCA also includes the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands. FCA is understood to have also held talks with the PSA Group, which comprises Peugeot, DS, Citroen and Vauxhall/Opel, over a partnership. PSA boss Carlos Tavares is known to be keen to grow his firm with acquisitions or partnerships, and has been strongly linked to a deal with Jaguar Land Rover. FCA boss Mike Manley is also known to be keen on a partnership, telling reporters at the Geneva motor show that he was open to cooperation with other car firms, “whether it’s partnerships, joint ventures or deeper levels of equity cooperation that makes sense for us and whoever that
Origin: Renault and Fiat Chrysler reportedly in talks over tie-up
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