02/29/24 - Tesla Roadster to Launch in 2025, "0-60mph < 1 sec" 🚗, The Apple Car that never was 🏭, Bugatti Introduces Brembo Carbon-Carbon Braking System 🤖

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: 

  • Tesla Roadster Arriving 2025 With Sub-1-Second 0-60 Time, Claims Elon Musk

  • ChatGPT-enabled VW ID.4 with big 2024 model year changes

• 🏭 Industry trend: The Apple Car that never was: A timeline, Toyota wants hydrogen to succeed so bad it’s paying people to buy the Mirai, Polestar secures USD 1 billion external funding

• 🤖 Auto Tech: Bugatti Bolide Introduces Brembo Carbon-Carbon Braking System, Honda’s ‘extended reality’ is a mash-up of VR and motorized wheelchairs

• 💡 Tips: Motor Oil Age Doesn’t Matter as Much as Mileage

Tesla Roadster Arriving 2025 With Sub-1-Second 0-60 Time, Claims Elon Musk (3 mins read)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announces bold claims about the Roadster on X, targeting deliveries by 2025, boasting <1 sec 0-60mph, possibly with flying capabilities. Collaboration with SpaceX hinted. Musk teases end-of-year reveal, though delays are typical. Model 3 and Cybertruck progress may aid Roadster production. Read more.

Hands-on with the ChatGPT-enabled VW ID.4, with big 2024 model year changes (11 mins read)

The 2024 VW ID.4 sees significant changes, especially in the 82kWh version, with improved power and efficiency. The base 62kWh model remains unchanged except for a price hike to $39,735. The ID.4 qualifies for the full $7,500 US federal EV tax credit due to local production in Tennessee. The 82kWh version starts at $44,875, featuring a revamped UI, enhanced route planner, and a ChatGPT-enabled voice assistant. Read more.

The Apple Car that never was: A timeline (10 mins read)

This article discusses the rise and fall of Apple's secretive car project, Project Titan. Spanning over a decade, the project saw numerous shifts in strategy, executive changes, and technological challenges. Despite initial ambitions to revolutionize the automotive industry with electric and autonomous vehicles, Apple ultimately faced setbacks and internal debates, leading to its demise in January. The article highlights the complexities, uncertainties, and pivotal moments that characterized Apple's journey into the automotive realm. Read more.

Toyota wants hydrogen to succeed so bad it’s paying people to buy the Mirai (4 mins read)

Toyota offers a $40,000 discount on the $52,000 2023 Toyota Mirai fuel-cell vehicle, effectively paying buyers $3,000 with free hydrogen for six years. However, California faces hydrogen station closures, impacting fuel-cell cars' viability. Honda's hybrid CR-V offers 270 miles range, but hydrogen's future in passenger vehicles remains uncertain due to infrastructure limitations. Read more.

Polestar secures USD 1 billion external funding; business outlook confirmed (3 mins read)

Polestar secures $950 million in external funding from 12 international banks. With Geely's support, the company targets cash flow break-even by 2025. Despite job cuts, it expands its SUV lineup and accelerates production. The funding, alongside a new shareholder structure, propels Polestar towards its business goals, anticipating volume growth and profit margin by late 2024. Read more.

Bugatti Bolide Introduces Brembo Carbon-Carbon Braking System (3 mins read)

Brembo introduces its largest carbon-carbon brake system for the Bugatti Bolide hypercar, enabling it to safely reach speeds over 300 mph. Unlike typical iron or carbon-ceramic brakes, the carbon-carbon design withstands extreme temperatures, crucial for high-performance vehicles. Each of the $4 million hypercars will feature this exclusive technology, with only 40 units produced. Read more.

Honda’s ‘extended reality’ is a mash-up of VR and motorized wheelchairs (3 mins read)

Honda introduces an "extended reality" experience at SXSW, blending virtual reality with their Uni-One mobility device. The device, resembling a Segway, enables hands-free movement in VR simulations. While targeting entertainment, the 154-pound Uni-One offers 5 miles of range at 3.7mph. However, its adoption beyond novelty remains uncertain, suggesting potential use in theme parks or malls. Read more.

Motor Oil Age Doesn’t Matter as Much as Mileage (3 mins read)

The study reveals a challenge to the common belief of six-month oil changes, asserting that mileage matters more than time. Testing old oils from various sources, including a 14-year-old Mobil 1 bottle, showed that low-mileage oils remained within spec. Exceptions apply to engines with severe use. The findings suggest monitoring mileage over rigid time-based schedules for oil changes. Read more.