01/24/24 - The Apple Car is Coming in 2028 🤖, 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Gets Macho Makeover 🚗, What is ESP, and ESC on a car? 😄

GM. Rev up your day with the latest automotive news and insights delivered to your inbox in our exclusive newsletter! What we cover in today’s edition:

• 🚗 Car reveal/review: 

  • 2025 Chevrolet Equinox Gets Macho Makeover

  • Meet The Facelifted VW Golf 8.5 America Is Missing Out On

  • Mercedes-Benz USA Announces Pricing for the all-new E-Class Sedan

  • American Honda Reveals Returning Two-Wheel Models for 2024 Model Year

• 🤖 Auto Tech: The Apple Car is Coming in 2028, New EV Rumors Claim ‘Limited Autonomy’, Hyundai unveils new 'Active Air Skirt' tech to increase EV range

• 💡 Tips: Is It Worse For Your Car To Leave It Salty Or Wash It In Freezing Temperatures?

• 😄 Fun read: What is ESP, and ESC on a car?

2025 Chevrolet Equinox Gets Macho Makeover, More Standard Tech (5 mins read)

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox, set to hit dealerships in mid-2024, receives a truck-inspired redesign with standard safety features. The new model offers an off-road-leaning trim, Activ, focusing on appearance. The interior includes a larger touchscreen and physical controls. Standard safety features now include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitors, and more. The turbocharged 1.5-liter engine remains, but transmissions are updated. Towing capacity is 800 pounds (FWD) or 1,500 pounds (AWD). Read more.

Meet The Facelifted VW Golf 8.5 America Is Missing Out On (4 mins read)

VW unveils the facelifted Golf Mk8.5, featuring sharper styling and more technology. Not available in the U.S., the Golf lineup includes the plug-in GTE with a 201hp hybrid system and a 62-mile electric range. Other engine options include eTSI and turbodiesels. The infotainment system is redesigned, and all models have automatic climate control. The Golf GTI is available in the U.S., but the manual transmission option is no longer offered. Read more.

Mercedes-Benz USA Announces Pricing for the all-new E-Class Sedan (4 mins read)

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan arrives in U.S. dealerships in Q1 2024, starting at $62,300. It features a third-gen MBUX infotainment system, optional MBUX Superscreen, and a high-resolution 14.4" display. The exterior has a 'cab-backward' design with LED headlamps. Standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive and AGILITY CONTROL suspension enhance comfort and handling. The Digital Vehicle Key allows unlocking with a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch. Trim levels include Premium and Pinnacle, with prices ranging from $62,300 to $70,650. Read more.

American Honda Reveals Returning Two-Wheel Models for 2024 Model Year (6 mins read)

American Honda announces the return of 11 motorcycle models for 2024, spanning sport bikes, dual sports, and scooters. Highlights include the CBR1000RR, CBR600RR, CB1000R, SCL500 "scrambler"-style model, and the approachable PCX scooter. The dual-sport lineup includes CRF300L, CRF300LS, CRF300L Rally, XR650L, XR150L, and the Trail125 with vintage styling. Specialized Montesa Cota 4RT models, developed by 34-time Trials World Champion Toni Bou, are also part of the lineup. Read more.

The Apple Car is Coming in 2028, New EV Rumors Claim ‘Limited Autonomy’ (3 mins read)

The Apple Car, rumored for years, is reportedly set for a 2028 release with limited autonomy. Initial plans for full self-driving have shifted, requiring driver attention on highways. The vehicle may lack a steering wheel. Since 2015, Apple's entry into the automotive industry has been discussed, and 2021 saw renders of a crossover SUV. The 2028 release, if true, marks a new era for Apple's automotive venture. Read more.

Hyundai unveils new 'Active Air Skirt' tech to increase EV range (3 mins read)

Hyundai unveils Active Air Skirt (AAS) EV tech, improving aerodynamics for extended range and control at high speeds. The AAS adjusts air flow between the front bumper and wheels, deploying at speeds over 50 mph and retracting at 43 mph. It enhances stability, controls wind resistance, and increases downforce, particularly beneficial for larger EVs like SUVs or trucks. The technology, tested on the Genesis GV60, reduces drag coefficient by 2.8%, providing 4 miles of additional range. Read more.

Is It Worse For Your Car To Leave It Salty Or Wash It In Freezing Temperatures? (8 mins read)

Regular winter car washing helps prevent salt damage, common in rust-inducing regions. While washing in freezing temperatures poses risks, preventive measures include using do-it-yourself car washes, bringing a towel, and applying silicone lubricant on door seals. The goal is to remove salt, reducing corrosion on exposed metals. Ceramic coating and addressing paint chips can help prevent rust. Despite challenges, winter car care contributes to longevity and protection against corrosion. Read more.

What is ESP, and ESC on a car? (5 mins read)

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) also known as Electronic Stability Program (ESP), a vital safety feature in modern cars, quietly prevents loss of control and reduces fatal accident risks by up to 32%. Required in all new European cars since 2014, ESC works with ABS and TCS, using sensors to monitor wheel speed and sideways movements. It enhances safety, enables additional technologies like Brake Assist and Hill Hold Control, and serves as an efficient tire pressure monitoring system. Read more.