Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
Volkswagen has been given the go-ahead to take control of rental car giant Europcar. It’s part of VW’s push to become a mobility company and will be a part of future solutions that include autonomous driving technologies, such as robot cabs.
The upcoming BMW XM has been further teased, with a somewhat odd video showing off the new car’s front and rear three-quarters. It supplements an earlier sketch that showcased massive nostril-like grilles, which were also illuminated, and additional auxiliary lighting in the roof.
An independent illustration by Kolesa gives us a glimpse at the future of the next generation Ford Kuga / Escape. Based on spy shots that we’ve caught, the renders show a revised grille reminiscent of the Mustang Mach-E and updated rear taillights. Inside, we expect to see Ford’s latest Sync4 software as well as an updated digital cluster.
Bosch workers have been the latest to voice concerns over what the EV transition will mean for them. Thousands of workers went on strike, with Europe’s largest car parts manufacturer announcing that over 1000 jobs will be lost as it looks to make new hires, relocations, and cuts. Many of the jobs on the chopping block are related to the making of components in internal combustion engine cars, with EV tech making such parts and functions obsolete.
The original i30 N made its mark, so the refreshed version didn’t need to reinvent the wheel. Apart from the tweaked looks, it’s now available with the option of a dual-clutch transmission, in addition to the six-speed manual. And, shock-horror, CarScoop’s Brad Anderson says the auto is just as fun, perhaps even better suited than the manual!
It can be hard keeping track of some new entrants into the hypercar space, with announcements coming thick and fast. But how many of these seemingly impossible claims will materialize into a finished production car that can rival the likes of Bugatti? We’ve rounded up ten candidates that might be less fact than fiction.
In honor of the new Toyota GR Supra Jarama Racetrack Edition, the car has made an appearance at the famous track it was named after. Adorning this car is a special shade of Horizon Blue that is complemented with 19-inch matte black alloy wheels and red brake calipers. The custom touches continue in the cabin of the Japanese sports car where there is black Alcantara upholstery with blue contrast stitching and a production number plaque on the dashboard. However, only one will be offered to the Spanish public, with the other half of Spain’s allocation being owned by Toyota Spain themselves.
What Else Is Making The News
Omnicron Makes Waves
A South African doctor who was one of the first to suspect a different coronavirus strain among patients said that symptoms of the Omicron variant were so far mild and could be treated at home https://t.co/nnteU6XBKw
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 29, 2021
The Pandemic would appear to have no let-up, as a new variant of concern has been identified by the World Health Organisation. However, according to Reuters, a South African doctor who was one of the first to suspect a different coronavirus strain among patients said on Sunday that symptoms of the Omicron variant were so far mild and could be treated at home. Regardless, many countries have shut their borders to South African countries, with Japan banning entry of all foreign nationals from Tuesday.
Mr. Goxx, The Hamster That Made More Money Thank Most Of Us, Dies
We feared this day like no other and are truly shocked for it to happen just now.
In deep sorrow, we have to announce the loss of our beloved furry friend.
— Mr. Goxx (@mrgoxx) November 24, 2021
Mr. Goxx, a hamster that was able to beat human investors using a trading cage, has died. Two friends created his page and the trading cage who wanted to prove the randomness of success in the digital currency industry. “Mr. Goxx has brought joy to people all across the globe and reminded us not to take life too seriously,” said the page. “He shed light into dark moments of pandemic, inflation, and many kinds of trouble.”
Keyword: BMW XM Teased Again, Toyota Supra Special Edition, And Ford Escape Rendered: Your Morning Brief