Author: M.Chen

2026 Lucid Gravity: A Three-Row Wagon for the Future
8Jan By M.ChenNo Comments
EV & Electric Cars, News, Reviews

2026 Lucid Gravity: A Three-Row Wagon for the Future

The 2026 Lucid Gravity is here to shake up the SUV market with its unique styling and impressive specs. It's a crossover that doesn't quite fit into any traditional category, making it stand out among competitors.Key TakeawaysThe 2026 Lucid Gravity boasts up to 450 miles of range and can charge from 10% to 80% in just under half an hour.It offers a spacious interior with three rows of seating, making it ideal for families or those who need extra cargo space.The vehicle's software has some teething issues but its driving dynamics are top-notch and set new benchmarks in the SUV class.Lucid's Gravity is not just another crossover. It combines elements from wagons, minivans, and high-riding SUVs to create a unique shape-shifting vehicle that appeals to those who want something different but pr...
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XPeng P7+ Challenges Tesla Model 3 in UK Market
8Jan By M.ChenNo Comments
EV & Electric Cars, News

XPeng P7+ Challenges Tesla Model 3 in UK Market

Chinese automaker XPeng has unveiled the new P7+, a luxury fastback electric vehicle (EV) targeting the popular Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.7 models. With its sleek design, advanced technology, and impressive performance figures, the P7+ aims to make waves in the UK market.Key TakeawaysThe XPeng P7+ boasts a range of up to 500 miles on a single charge.Priced competitively at around £42,990, it offers features such as L3 autonomous driving capabilities and advanced infotainment systems.XPeng plans for the UK launch in early 2026.The XP7+ comes equipped with a powerful battery pack that allows it to travel up to 500 miles on one charge, outperforming many of its competitors. In comparison, the Tesla Model 3 has an estimated range of around 419 miles for certain variants.At £42,990, the X...
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Dallas Rolls Out Over 600 AI Cameras To Boost Safety, Spark Privacy Debate
7Jan By M.ChenNo Comments
EV & Electric Cars, News

Dallas Rolls Out Over 600 AI Cameras To Boost Safety, Spark Privacy Debate

Dallas has deployed over 600 Flock Safety's AI-powered traffic cameras to aid law enforcement and public safety. The system can identify car makes, models, colors, and even paper tags or no tags at all.Key TakeawaysDallas police now use over 600 AI-powered traffic cameras to track vehicles.The system helps solve roughly one million crimes per year nationwide.Civil liberties groups raise concerns about privacy and misuse of the technology.Flock Safety's vehicle fingerprint technology can recognize a car’s make, model, color, decals, visible damage, and even vehicles with paper tags or no plates at all. The system also sends alerts when flagged cars cross jurisdictional boundaries.The City Council approved a three-year contract worth $5.7 million for Flock Safety's services in May 2023. This...
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2025’s Strangest Cars: VinFast, Honda Acty, and More
7Jan By M.ChenNo Comments
News

2025’s Strangest Cars: VinFast, Honda Acty, and More

As the year 2025 draws to a close, car enthusiasts have spotted some truly bizarre vehicles on American roads. From eccentric microtrucks to peculiar electric cars, these standouts challenge conventional automotive norms.Key TakeawaysThe VinFast VF e-Fortuner has made unexpected appearances in small towns across the Southeastern U.S., despite limited dealerships.A 1990s Honda Acty microtruck continues to surprise drivers with its compact size alongside large American vehicles like F-150 trucks and SUVs.One of the strangest custom builds seen this year was a Johnson Surfer boat hull mounted on a BMW E46 chassis, showcased at an automotive museum in Philadelphia.The VinFast VF e-Fortuner has become quite visible despite being available only through two dealerships: one in Lake Charles and an...
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Volkswagen Reverses Course, Brings Back Physical Buttons in New ID. Polo Interior
7Jan By M.ChenNo Comments
EV & Electric Cars, News

Volkswagen Reverses Course, Brings Back Physical Buttons in New ID. Polo Interior

Volkswagen is making a significant shift back to traditional controls with the new generation of cockpit design featured on its refreshed ID. Polo model, which trades digital buttons for physical switches and knobs.Key TakeawaysThe new ID. Polo features an abundance of physical buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard, a stark contrast to current VW models that rely heavily on capacitive touch controls.Volkswagen's move toward more tactile control options is expected to extend beyond Europe with plans for updates to North American models like the upcoming refreshed ID.4 SUV.The automaker’s decision comes as consumer feedback and usability concerns have pushed back against overly digital interfaces in cars, leading other manufacturers to reconsider their approaches too.For Volkswagen, th...
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Toyota GR Teases New Mid-Engined Sports Car for Tokyo Auto Salon
7Jan By M.ChenNo Comments
EV & Electric Cars, News, Supercars

Toyota GR Teases New Mid-Engined Sports Car for Tokyo Auto Salon

Toyota's Gazoo Racing division is generating buzz ahead of the January Tokyo Auto Salon with hints at a new mid-engined sports car. The brand's social media posts suggest an upcoming reveal that could be another step toward reviving the iconic MR2 model.Key TakeawaysThe teaser suggests Toyota may unveil a mid-engined two-seater at Tokyo Auto Salon, potentially hinting at an MR2 revival or concept car.If it's the real deal, this could be positioned between its GR 86 and higher-end offerings like the GR GT supercar.Tokyo Auto Salon has become a platform for Toyota to showcase enthusiast-focused vehicles, with past reveals including the GR GT3 concept in 2022.The new teaser from Gazoo Racing comes just weeks after renewed speculation around an MR2 revival. The company's chairman Akio Toyoda o...
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Honda Unveils Civic e:HEV RS and Type R HRC Concepts at Tokyo Auto Salon
6Jan By M.ChenNo Comments
EV & Electric Cars, News

Honda Unveils Civic e:HEV RS and Type R HRC Concepts at Tokyo Auto Salon

Honda is set to showcase a range of high-performance concepts, including the new Civic e:HEV RS Prototype with Prelude's S+ Shift technology and an enhanced Civic Type R HRC model. These reveals are part of Honda’s lineup for the upcoming 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon.Key TakeawaysHonda introduces a sportier version of its hybrid Civic with S+ Shift technology from Prelude.The Civic Type R HRC concept aims to push the limits of pure sports performance further.A Prelude HRC Concept is also on display, promising enhanced driving joy without powertrain changes.At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda will unveil a new prototype for its popular e:HEV Civic. The model features S+ Shift technology from the recently launched Prelude, which allows drivers to shift through simulated gears using paddle shifts...
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Volvo EX30 Owners Warned Over Battery Fire Risk
6Jan By M.ChenNo Comments
EV & Electric Cars, News, SUV & Crossovers

Volvo EX30 Owners Warned Over Battery Fire Risk

Volvo has issued a warning to some owners of its smallest all-electric car, the Volvo EX30. The company is asking affected drivers to limit their charging levels to avoid potential battery-related fires.Key TakeawaysThe issue affects certain 2024-2026 model year EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance cars only.Volkswagen ID.3, Smart #1, and Tesla Model Y are direct competitors to the Volvo EX30 in terms of size and price range.No injuries have been reported despite less than 0.02% of affected vehicles showing issues so far.Volvo identified a potential problem with high-voltage battery cells made by one supplier for certain model year cars, which could lead to overheating and fire risks under rare circumstances when charged to full capacity.The automaker is implementing...
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GM Extends Shutdown, Impacts Flint Assembly and Corvette Plants
6Jan By M.ChenNo Comments
News

GM Extends Shutdown, Impacts Flint Assembly and Corvette Plants

General Motors has extended the production shutdown at its Flint Assembly plant until January 26th. The move affects thousands of workers who will remain idle while GM performs maintenance work.Key TakeawaysFlint Assembly remains closed into late January for unspecified maintenance and project work.The shutdown impacts up to 5,000 UAW workers at Flint and 1,200 in Bowling Green.Potential upgrades could include the Gen 6 small block V8 engine set for launch by 2027.Flint Assembly, which builds Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD trucks, will stay closed until January 26th. GM hasn't provided specific details about what maintenance is being done but says it's related to facility upgrades or future product changes.The Bowling Green plant in Kentucky has also been idle since December 15th...
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Result Japan Rolls Out AE86-Inspired Kit for Toyota GR 86 at Tokyo Auto Salon
6Jan By M.ChenNo Comments
News

Result Japan Rolls Out AE86-Inspired Kit for Toyota GR 86 at Tokyo Auto Salon

Japanese tuner Result Japan has unveiled a retro-styled styling kit dubbed the Neo86, transforming the modern Toyota GR 86 into an homage to its iconic predecessor, the AE86 Trueno.Key TakeawaysThe Neo86 features pop-up headlights and widened fenders reminiscent of the '80s classic.This styling kit will be available for purchase soon after its debut at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026.Tuned GR 86 models can still benefit from performance upgrades alongside aesthetic changes.The Neo86 package brings back the nostalgic look of the AE86 Trueno, including pop-up headlights and widened fenders. The styling kit is set to hit the market soon after its debut at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026.Result Japan's kit includes a functional flat hood with pop-up headlights, reminiscent of the original car’s distinctive featur...
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