Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
The Biden Administration Will Once Again Let California Set Its Own Emissions Standards
California is once again free to set its own emissions regulations, a reversal of Donald Trump’s earlier move to freeze the state’s authority. California Governor Gavin Newsom has previously committed to phasing out the sale of combustion-powered vehicles by 2035, and the reinstatement of this waiver will help him achieve this. The Biden administration will also cap carbon emissions on cars and light trucks sold over the next four years, while the EPA is then expected to craft rules for vehicles built after 2026.
Porsche Is Converting Its Main Factory To Ready It For All-Electric 718 Sports Cars
Porsche is committing to an electric sports car future, investing (€500m) into its Zuffenhausen factory in preparation for the next generation of the purely electric Boxster and Cayman. The next-gen electric sports cars have been previewed by the Mission R, a concept launched in Munich last year that, minus the body add-ons and slicks, is likely what an electric sports car from Porsche will look like. Porsche is aiming for a third of sales to be EV by 2025, with a two-thirds majority by 2030.
Roadgoing KTM X-Bow GTX Prototype Spotted For The First Time
Our spy photographers have captured KTM’s much-anticipated X-Bow GTX undergoing testing. The X-Bow GTX is a roadgoing version of their track-only X-Bow GT2 race car. The obviously track-focused sports car is powered by an Audi-sourced turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder, with its track-only sibling weighing just 2,310 lbs (1,048 kg) — although this will likely rise before the car goes on sale. The roadgoing version is expected to debut towards the end of the year or in early 2023.
Cruise Seeking NHTSA Approval To Put The Autonomous Origin Into Service
Cruise, a majority-owned subsidy of General Motors, has asked for NHTSA approval for the autonomous Origin. Cruise plans to build and deploy ist autonomous vehicle as an alternative to Lyft and Uber. Without a driver, it may be significantly cheaper too. Cruise said the Origin is “not innovation for its own sake” as it follows the “U.S. Department of Transportation’s six guiding principles for work on innovation in transportation.”
2025 Subaru Baja: We Envision A Small Pickup Rival To The Ford Maverick And Hyundai Santa Cruz
Could a modern interpretation of the odd-ball Subaru Baja be well received today? With the likes of the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick winning fans left, right, and center, we think there’s a case in it. Our independent illustrations envisage what a Baja comeback could look like, as Subaru’s global platform (SGP) could be perfect for a unibody truck.
10 Great Engines In Meh Cars
Many consider the engine the heart and soul of a great automobile. But does that mean that plumbing a gem of a motor into something that’s relatively mundane everywhere else can transform any car into a winner? Yes and no: we’ve listed ten examples to illustrate.
What Else Is Making The News
Truth Social Launches
Donald Trump has launched his own social media platform, albeit in limited form. Available on the US Apple App store, it comes after Trump was banned from Twitter, Facebook, YouTube last year. However, it’s reported that many who have tried to register for the new social media platform have been put on a waiting list “due to massive demand.”
Haas Shakes Down A Different F1 Car Than The One Previously Shown
And we are GO!
The #VF22 takes to the track for the very first time in Barcelona 💪#HaasF1 pic.twitter.com/SewwEaAjEW
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 21, 2022
Up until now, we’d only seen renders of the Haas VF-22. Today, Haas revealed its on-track challenger, which looked significantly different than the renders, as the American team hopes to relaunch themselves after opting to stop the development of last year’s car to focus on 2022. Haas has also changed its infrastructure, setting up a hub in Maranello, Italy, to help forge closer ties with Ferrari.
Keyword: Porsche’s EV Commitment, KTM’s Road-Legal X-Bow GTX, And What A Modern Subaru Baja Could Look Like: Your Morning Brief