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  • 11/07/23 - 2025 Volvo EX30 First Drive, Frozen clutch or bad hydraulics?, How One Little Nut Has Been Known To Kill BMWs

11/07/23 - 2025 Volvo EX30 First Drive, Frozen clutch or bad hydraulics?, How One Little Nut Has Been Known To Kill BMWs

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

  • 🚗 Car reveal/review: 2025 Volvo EX30 First Drive, 2024 Honda Ridgeline Adds a Tough TrailSport Trim, Jeep Wrangler EV Due in 2028, New Mid-Size Trucks Coming in 2027, 2025 Audi A6 E-Tron spied

  • 🏭 Industry trend: Dealer Survey Reveals Toyota is Most Trusted Brand, Ford is Least Trusted

  • 🤖 Auto Tech: Infineon Technologies on electric/electronic architecture migration 

  • 🙌 Tips/advices: Frozen clutch or bad hydraulics?

  • 😄 Fun read: How One Little Nut Has Been Known To Kill BMWs

Volvo EX30 | Top Speed

The 2025 Volvo EX30 is a new subcompact electric crossover, available with single or twin motor options. It offers impressive acceleration, with the twin motor version achieving a 3.4-second 0 to 60 MPH time. The EX30 is designed to be efficient and compact, resembling the first-generation Hyundai Kona in size. The rear-wheel-drive version offers a more enjoyable driving experience. While its interior lacks physical buttons, it features recycled materials and clever storage solutions. The EX30 is competitively priced, with the base Core model starting at $34,950.

2024 Honda Ridgeline | Car And Driver

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck introduces the TrailSport trim as its main focus. It comes in four trim levels: Sport, RTL, TrailSport, and Black Edition. All models feature a new grille design, while the TrailSport gets unique features. The tailgate has a "Dual Action" opening, and the bed is versatile for both recreational and practical use. Inside, there are comfort and tech upgrades, including a 9.0-inch infotainment screen. All Ridgelines have a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 280 horsepower, a nine-speed transmission, and all-wheel drive. The TrailSport offers off-road enhancements. The lineup will be available for sale in early December 2023.

Electric Jeep Magneto Wrangler Concept | Car And Driver

Jeep Wrangler will continue its current generation until 2028, with a 4xe plug-in hybrid upgrade in 2025. The Jeep Gladiator follows a similar path. In 2027, Belvidere, Illinois will invest $1.5 billion to build new midsize trucks, potentially reviving the Dakota nameplate. The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models will receive refreshes in 2025 and 2027. The electric Ram 1500 REV will start production in 2024. The document offers insights into Stellantis' transition to electric vehicles.

Audi A6 E-tron spy shot | Motor Authority

Audi's electric A6 E-Tron prototype has been spotted testing, set to arrive in 2024 as a 2025 model in the U.S. It closely resembles the concept and shares the PPE modular EV platform with the upcoming Q6 E-Tron. The A6 E-Tron will offer single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive options, with a 100-kWh battery for over 300 miles of range and rapid charging capabilities. Audi also plans to introduce a sporty S6 E-Tron and potentially an RS 6 E-Tron in the future.

This article discusses the varying levels of trust in automotive brands among dealers, highlighting Toyota as the most trusted and Ford as the least trusted brand. A Kerrigan Dealer Survey conducted anonymously with 650 dealers reveals insights into this trust divide, influenced by factors such as automakers' EV strategies and their relationships with consumers. The survey also offers valuable insights into dealer expectations, franchise value, and concerns about automaker-initiated changes in the industry.

IThis interview with Infineon Technologies discusses the transformation of vehicle architecture from distributed to centralized, software-defined models. It covers the gradual migration of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) to zonal architectures, the changing roles of tier 1, tier 2, and OEMs, opportunities and challenges in different vehicle domains, the integration of small ECUs into zone controllers, hardware and software opportunities, the role of zone controllers as gateways, the necessity of microcontroller units (MCUs), and the requirements for compute capability and memory density in zone controllers and central computers. The interview also highlights the increasing importance of over-the-air updates in reworking the E/E architecture.

The article discusses the author's experience with a 1973 BMW E9 3.0CSi coupe and a clutch issue. While preparing to drive the vintage car, the clutch appeared to be stuck in reverse, creating concerns. The author explores potential causes, including hydraulic or mechanical failure and a frozen clutch, highlighting the challenge in distinguishing between them. The article also provides insights into how clutches work in manual transmission cars and offers practical advice for troubleshooting such issues.

The article discusses the potential issue of the oil pump nut coming loose in certain BMW engines, primarily affecting M54, M52, M50, and S52 engines installed in inline-six-powered BMWs made between 1990 and 2006. The issue is more commonly reported in models with the M54B30 three-liter inline-six. Prolonged hard driving can lead to the oil pump nut backing out, potentially causing significant engine damage. Various solutions, including safety wiring the nut, are suggested to prevent this issue.

And.. that’s a wrap