02/02/24 - 2025 Ford Explorer: More Grille, Tech And Soft Surfaces | Toyota Is Developing New Combustion Engines | Lewis Hamilton Will Drive for Ferrari F1 in 2025

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 Ford Explorer: More Grille, Tech And Soft Surfaces—And No Hybrid

  • Electric Spartan 2.0 looks like a G Wagon but is half the cost

• 🏭 Industry trend: Red Bull Promises 15,000-RPM V10 Hypercar Coming in 2026, Here's how BYD is working on its image problem, Toyota Is Developing New Combustion Engines

• 🤖 Auto Tech: Car-tech breakup fever is heating up

• 😄 Fun read: It's Official: Lewis Hamilton Will Drive for Ferrari F1 in 2025

2025 Ford Explorer: More Grille, Tech And Soft Surfaces—And No Hybrid (6 mins read)

The 2025 Ford Explorer ST, set for an early spring 2024 release, undergoes a mid-cycle refresh with limited exterior changes, addressing interior complaints by introducing soft-touch materials. A redesigned dashboard takes inspiration from the Mustang Mach-E. The central infotainment touchscreen is replaced with a 13-inch display and Android Automotive with Google Services. Connectivity includes a built-in 5G modem, with Blue Cruise, Ford's driving assist system, available with a subscription model. Trims are simplified to XLT, ST-Line, ST, and Platinum, with 2.3L four-cylinder and 3.0L V6 engine options. Read more.

The electric Spartan 2.0 looks like a G Wagon but is half the cost (2 mins read)

Czech startup MW Motors unveils the all-electric MWM Spartan EV 2.0, resembling the Mercedes-Benz G Wagon but priced at £49,995 ($63,700), less than half of the G-Class. Sporting a 174 hp electric motor, 61 kWh battery, and 150-mile range, the 4x4 features 4WD, locking differentials, and regenerative braking. With compact dimensions and 6,600 lbs towing, it caters to a different market. The Spartan EV 2.0 is smaller and more affordable, targeting UK buyers with an imminent US launch anticipated. Read more.

Red Bull Promises 15,000-RPM V10 Hypercar Coming in 2026 (3 mins read)

Red Bull plans to unleash the RB17, a track-only hypercar with a sub-2,000-pound weight, featuring a naturally aspirated V10 engine revving up to 15,000 rpm, producing 1,000 horsepower, and supplemented by a 200-hp electric motor. Boasting F1-caliber lap times, it offers customization through a sim rig experience. Limited to 50 units at $6.3 million each, production is set for 2026, with a potential public debut in 2024. The RB17 is geared for track performance, emphasizing accessibility despite its extreme capabilities. Read more.

Here's how BYD is working on its image problem (4 mins read)

China's BYD aims to boost its presence in Europe, opening a dedicated store in Berlin to introduce its affordable EVs to the German market. Facing challenges in brand recognition, BYD focuses on practical and affordable models like Atto3, Han, and Tang. The move comes after BYD outsold Tesla in the last quarter of 2023, selling 1.6 million fully electric vehicles globally. Read more.

Car-tech breakup fever is heating up (3 mins read)

Car tech companies face funding cuts as major backers like Aptiv withdraw support from ventures such as Motional (robotaxi with Hyundai) due to financial losses and delays. Polestar, backed by Volvo, experiences a funding shift to Chinese parent company Geely amid layoffs. High interest rates and EV demand fluctuations prompt automakers like Volkswagen, Ford, and GM to reduce commitments to autonomous vehicle projects. Economic uncertainties and high interest rates threaten more splits in the car tech industry.Read more.

Toyota Is Developing New Combustion Engines (3 mins read)

Toyota’s Chairman Akio Toyoda announces a "major engine development project," emphasizing the ongoing importance of combustion engines. Toyota predicts a 30% market share cap for battery EVs, highlighting the role of gasoline, hybrids, fuel cells, and potential hydrogen-burning combustion engines. The company diverges from the industry trend, expressing the need for a varied approach amid concerns about job displacement and inadequate global charging infrastructure. Read more.

It's Official: Lewis Hamilton Will Drive for Ferrari F1 in 2025 (4 mins read)

Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025, leaving Mercedes after activating a release option in his contract. Mercedes acknowledges the end of their successful partnership, while Ferrari extends Charles Leclerc's contract. The 2025 Ferrari lineup includes Hamilton. Hamilton's move surprises Mercedes, raising speculation about his replacement. Read more.