Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…
UK Approves E-Highway Scheme, Installs Overhead Wires On Motorway To Charge Trucks
If you’ve ever heard of or seen a trolly bus, this new scheme that will be piloted in the UK will look familiar. Costing £2 million ($2.8 m), it’ll see electric overhead wires run a 12.4-mile (20 km) stretch of the M180 motorway near Scunthorpe, UK. Trucks will be fitted with retractable gantries that allow them to draw power as they drive, meaning that — in theory — smaller batteries can be fitted for use off of the highway.
Production Audi A6 E-Tron Reportedly Coming In 2023
A report claims that a production version of the Audi A6 e-tron concept will be going into production come 2023, being unveiled as soon as next year. The A6 e-tron that was shown at the Shanghai Motorshow was a four-door coupe-take on an A6, although usually, that means it’d be an A7. Regardless, it featured a claimed range of over 700 km (435 miles) and a dual-motor set-up with 350 kW (470 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque.
Gazoo Racing Details Its Two 2022 Toyota GR 86 Concepts
The GR 86 has already been given the Gazoo Racing treatment — which is a tad confusing since the ‘GR’ in GR 86 stands for Gazoo Racing. Does that make these two concepts Gazoo Racing’s interpretation of a Gazoo Racing 86? No matter, the concepts feature functional aero additions, with an extreme version and a slightly more restrained interpretation. Suspension, brakes, and interior bits see upgrades too.
France Is Testing Noise Radar To Fine Noisy Cars And Motorbikes
A few days ago we reported about drones coming to get us, motorists. Now another element of tech is being employed in France, this time to catch those deemed to be disturbing the peace. Microphones that monitor the noise levels of cars and bikes can automatically issue tickets to offenders. These systems have been present in Paris since 2019. Now they will be rolled out to other parts of France as well.
2023 BMW X8 M: Spy Shot-Based Renders Don’t Paint A Pretty Picture
The BMW X8 is coming, and if these renderings by Instagrammer Mangus Concepts are anywhere near true, it might just be the most dramatic interpretation of BMW’s new-age design language yet — and yes, that’s saying something. Based on spy shots we’ve already seen of the X8 and an alleged X8M, it features gargantuan grilles, massive intakes, and an even more dramatic rear end.
One-Off Porsche 911 Turbo S Celebrating Mexico’s Greatest Driver To Be Auctioned For Charity
Celebrating the 50th death anniversary of Pedro Rodriguez, Mexico’s most accomplished racecar driver, this Porsche 911 Turbo S will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to charity. It’s painted in colors reminiscent of the Gulf-liveried 917 KH that Rodriguez piloted. There are also some unique elements and combinations that have been made unrepeatable in the Porsche configurator.
Speeding BMW Driver Sideswipes Two Cars, Flips After Hitting A Tree
In today’s daily dose of stupid, here’s another reminder that dangerous driving can end so very badly. The video shows a BMW and Mercedes appearing to race through traffic. It doesn’t take too long before the BMW clips a car, losing control, and slamming into another innocent road user, before mounting a guard rail, hitting a tree, and doing multiple barrel rolls.
What Else Is Making The News
Uber Shares Drop As Softbank Plans To Sell
Softbank’s sale of one-third of its shares in Uber has wiped 5% off Uber’s share price, reports CNBC. The sale from the Japanese multinational holding company is in response to losses made on Didi, a Chinese ride-hailing company that may face fines in its home country.
Harry Potter Book Sells For $112,000
A rare first edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first book in the series, has sold for a whopping £80,000 ($112,000) at auction, reports the BBC. However, it’s not the highest value one has changed hands for — that accolade belongs to a similar edition signed by author J K Rowling, last year fetching £125,000 ($174,000).
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