Monday, 18 July 2022

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Speeders Beware, Chevrolet Offering A Police Pursuit Vehicle Based On The Electric Blazer SS

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 08:29 PM PDT

Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you in the new Chevrolet Blazer EV Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV)?

That's a question criminals and speeders will soon have to ask themselves as Chevrolet announced a new police vehicle based on the Blazer EV SS. The civilian model accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in less than four seconds, thanks to its dual-motor all-wheel drive system that produces up to 557 hp (415 kW / 565 PS) and 648 lb-ft (878 Nm) of torque.

Chevrolet didn't say much about the electric crossover, but noted it will be "pursuit-rated" and feature the largest Ultium battery in the Blazer lineup. Rear- and all-wheel drive variants will be available and the PPV will come equipped with Brembo front brakes as well as a unique interior, designed specifically for police use. The company didn't elaborate much, but promised officers will find "ample room to accommodate emergency equipment and gear."

Also Read: 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Offers FWD, RWD, And AWD As Well As A Blazingly Fast 557 HP SS

The Blazer EV PPV is slated to arrive in early 2024 and GM Fleet Vice President Ed Peper said, "The possibilities for the Blazer EV's commercial and law enforcement applications are almost endless." He went on to note that besides being zero emissions, the police crossover will reduce the "number and frequency of certain maintenance requirements typically associated with fleet vehicles."

The introduction of the Blazer EV PPV is an interesting development as Ford has been toying around with the idea of a Mustang Mach-E police vehicle. As part of that effort, a test vehicle was subjected to the Michigan State Police evaluation process which examined its acceleration, top speed, braking, and high-speed pursuit characteristics.

Thus far, Ford hasn't announced plans for a Mach-E based Police Interceptor Utility but that hasn't stopped police departments from buying them. Last December, New York City announced plans to purchase 184 Mustang Mach-Es for law enforcement and emergency response use. They'll be used by several offices and departments including the New York Police Department, the New York City Sheriff's Office, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Offers FWD, RWD, And AWD As Well As A Blazingly Fast 557 HP SS

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 07:30 PM PDT

Chevrolet hasn't offered a high-performance SUV since the days of the Trailblazer SS, which was introduced nearly two decades ago with a 6.0-liter V8 pumping out 395 hp (295 kW / 400 PS) and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) of torque. It enabled the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in as little as 5.4 seconds, before hitting a limited top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h).

Those numbers are still pretty respectable today, but the world has moved on from the era of massive V8 engines. However, there's no reason to pout and that's made abundantly clear by the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS.

Set to become the first electric SS variant, the model features a dual-motor powertrain that produces up to 557 hp (415 kW / 565 PS) and 648 lb-ft (878 Nm) of torque. That's enough to embarrass the $85,400 BMW X5 M50i and this is before factoring in the Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode, which enables the crossover to rocket from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in less than four seconds.

A Stylish Electric Crossover

Now that we've gotten your attention, let's take a closer look at Chevrolet’s latest electric vehicle. While the exterior design was previewed last month, we recently got a chance to see the model up close at a media event near the Warren Tech Center. There was little doubt the vehicle would be a head-turner, but the Blazer EV looks even better in the flesh and that's especially true in range-topping SS form.

Speaking of trims, Chevrolet will offer 1LT, 2LT, RS, and SS variants, each with their own unique appearance. The LTs have a monochromatic exterior and standard 19-inch wheels, while the RS goes in a sportier direction as it's distinguished by a black grille, gloss black cladding, and aerodynamic side skirts.

The RS also has 21-inch wheels, an illuminated bowtie emblem, and a central light bar that is flanked by LED headlights. The latter components work together to provide a choreographed animation when you approach or walk-away from the vehicle. Besides that special touch, the lights are used to convey charging information with a quick glance as the "sequential orchestration of the lighting increases in speed and intensity as the battery's charge increases."

The lights are shared with the range-topping Blazer EV SS, but the high-performance model goes even further as it features a two-tone exterior with a black roof and black A-pillars. The model also sports a unique SS-branded grille, a front splitter, and massive 22-inch wheels that are backed up by Brembo front brakes.

Regardless of which trim is selected, all Blazer EVs come with a powered charging port door that automatically opens when pressed. Designers paid special attention to the charging port door as they noted owners will be using it far more often than a traditional fuel filler door, so they wanted to make it as convenient as possible to open.

Speaking of automatic doors, the crossover can be equipped with a "presence-based" power liftgate that opens when you approach. This means owners won't have to use the key fob or play the hokey pokey with a kick sensor. The presence-based system has multiple zones, which should help to mitigate unwanted openings and owners can always turn off the function if they want.

Despite wearing the Blazer name, nothing else is shared with the ICE-powered model. While there's always the possibility that consumers could confuse the two, officials didn't seem worried as they believe one look at the Blazer EV will immediately communicate it’s a modern and high-tech vehicle.

On top of that, GM is planning to have all their light-duty vehicles be zero emission by 2035 so time is running out on the model's ICE-powered counterpart. Given this, it's not surprising that officials suggested the crossover could eventually drop the "EV" part from its name and just become the "Blazer."

While any name changes are likely years away, Chevrolet officials told us they wanted to make a “statement for this segment.” They've succeeded as the Blazer EV looks great and appears far more upscale than something that typically wears a bowtie.

A High-Tech Interior With A Massive 17.7-Inch Infotainment System

Chevrolet interiors have typically been hit or miss, but this is where the Blazer EV makes another good impression. All models are equipped with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a massive 17.7-inch infotainment system, which is angled towards the driver. The latter boasts an EV-friendly navigation system that identifies charging stations on your route as well as gives information about availability and charging capacity.

Putting the screens aside, the Blazer EV's cabin seems a bit nicer than the more minimalist Ford Mustang Mach-E. We'll hold off final judgments until we get behind the wheel of the production model, but the production-intent concept featured real metal accents and nicely padded surfaces at major touchpoints.

While the cabin is thoroughly modern, there are "heritage-inspired" round accents such as the air vents. The latter have become closely associated with the Camaro, but have since migrated to the ICE-powered Blazer and now the electric variant.

In terms of equipment, the RS and SS trims have a flat-bottom steering wheel as well as heated and ventilated front seats. The SS goes further with heated rear seats and Adrenaline Red sueded microfiber upholstery.

There's plenty of room up front, but the same can't be said about the rear seats. Thanks to the crossover's sloping roof, headroom is extremely limited for those 6' 2" and taller. The bad news doesn't end there as it appears the company won’t offer power-folding rear seats. While the latter is disappointing for a crossover that starts at $65,995 in SS trim, there are convenient releases located on the side of the cargo area.

On the bright side, the rear seats offer plenty of legroom and there’s a panoramic glass roof that helps to amplify the cabin's airy feel. Second-row passengers will also find USB-C charging ports and air vents, but rear climate controls aren't part of the package.

Sticking with equipment, the Blazer EV will be offered with the Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system. It allows for hands-free operation on more than 200,000 miles (321,869 km) of compatible roadway in the United States and Canada.

Other driver assistance systems include Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning. They're joined by IntelliBeam headlights, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Advanced Park Assist.

A Powertrain For Everyone

Like the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, the Blazer EV rides on the Ultium platform that underpins GM's latest electric vehicles. However, the Blazer EV is incredibly unique as it will be offered with front-, rear-, and all-wheel drive.

While a number of modern EV platforms allow for front-, rear-, and all-wheel drive applications, it's unusual to see one model offer all three options. When we asked why Chevrolet decided to offer all three setups, officials told us it was all about choice and offering customers the best option that suits their needs.

This is an interesting approach as it means buyers in snowy states can opt for front- or all-wheel drive. For people living in warmer climates, there are rear-wheel drive variants that should offer a sportier driving experience.

Full details will be announced closer to launch, but the entry-level Blazer EV 1LT will come exclusively with front-wheel drive and offer a range of approximately 247 miles (398 km).  The 2LT also comes standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive will be an option.  More importantly, the 2LT can be equipped with a bigger battery that increases the range to around 293 miles (472 km).

That brings us to the Blazer EV RS, which is the most unique model in the lineup as it comes standard with both front- and rear-wheel drive.  That's not a typo as there will be multiple RS variants including one with front-wheel drive and another with rear-wheel drive.  All-wheel drive will be optional and one version of the RS will offer a range of approximately 320 miles (515 km).

Lastly, there’s the range-topping SS that comes standard with all-wheel drive.  It's slated to have a range of 290 miles (467 km), which is 20 miles (32 km) more than the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT.

While there will be plenty of powertrain options to choose from, Chevrolet noted the battery pack is structural and helps to give the Blazer EV a low center of gravity. Buyers will also find a one-pedal driving mode, which brings the crossover to a stop unless the accelerator is pressed.

Detailed charging specifications will be announced at a later date, but officials noted the Blazer EV will have an 11.5 kW Level 2 charging capability as well as compatibility with 190 kW DC fast chargers. The latter will enable the model to get approximately 78 miles (126 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes.

Unfortunately, we have some bad news as officials told us a dual-level charge cord won't come standard. This is disappointing as it has a swappable end, which enables EVs to be charged from both 120V and 240V outlets. That's a big deal as it means owners can charge virtually anywhere there's an outlet, even if a 120V connection is a last resort.

Reservations Now Open, Pricing Starts At $44,995

Chevrolet is currently accepting reservations and pricing begins at $44,995 for the LT1 trim that will arrive in the first quarter of 2024. The Blazer EV 2LT and RS will arrive earlier, in the summer of 2023, and cost $47,595 and $51,995 respectively.

The Blazer EV SS will set you back $65,995 when it arrives in late 2023.  While that sounds pricey, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT started at $71,515 and only had 475 hp (354 kW / 481 PS).

Extreme E Race Vehicles Coming To Forza Horizon 5

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 06:20 PM PDT

Extreme E announced today that Xbox Game Studios’ Turn 10 Studios will be the electric racing series’ official gaming partner. That means that the Forza franchise will have the official license to the Extreme E Odyssey 21 electric SUV.

Forza Horizon 5 players will be able to get behind the wheel of the vehicle, and Extreme E will showcase the game on Xboxes at all of its upcoming events. As a result, race teams, drivers, and VIP guests will be able to play with the electric vehicle while on-site at races.

“This partnership between Extreme E and the Forza franchise has brought the Championship to a new platform and audience,” said Ali Russell, Extreme E’s chief marketing officer. “We are excited for more people to see what electric vehicles are capable of and showcase the series in a new light.”

Read Also: First Gameplay Demo Of Forza Motorsport Shown, Hot Wheels Expansion Announced For Forza Horizon 5

Russell added that Turn 10 worked hard to make the experience of driving the Odyssey 21 as authentic as possible, to give players an as-close-to-first-hand experience as possible.

Players will not only be able to drive the electric SUV, but will be able to win all 10 team liveries by playing the game. They will also be able to unlock other surprises, such as billboards and race dressing, all of which will be part of Forza Horizon 5‘s evolving world.

Set a fictionalized version of Mexico, the world created for the game will feature Seasonal Championships that take drivers to different in-world locations every week to drive the Odyssey 21 in Dirt and Cross Country races:

In the Summer "Island X Prix" season, players will be racing along the east coast by Playa Azul; Autumn brings the "Energy X Prix" to the city of Guanajuato; Winter accelerates the action to the "Copper X Prix" Canyon; and finally, the competition heats up for the Spring finale as competitors race through the "Desert X Prix" Baja in Dunas Blancas.

The Extreme E Odyssey 21 electric SUV will be available in Forza Horizon 5 starting Tuesday, July 19. New unlockables and team variants will be available weekly after that.

The Lamborghini Jarama Is As Eye-Catching As A Countach But For All The Wrong Reasons

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 05:45 PM PDT

The Lamborghini Miura is arguably the most beautiful supercar ever built, and the Countach has one of the most memorable automotive shapes. But if you'd walked into a Lamborghini showroom in the early 1970s when those cars were new, you'd have seen another supercar fitted with the same V12 and designed by the same man, though you'll struggle to find many people who'd call the Jarama beautiful or memorable.

Well, except for maybe Ferruccio Lamborghini, who once claimed in an interview it was his favorite model because it was sportier than an Espada, but more useable than a Miura. But both of those cars are far better known than the Jarama, despite the coupe enjoying a relatively long production run from 1970 to 1976.

Lamborghini had started off building front-engined V12 cars, and it continued to build them after the introduction of the Miura and its successor the Countach. The original 350 GT of 1963, the firm's first production car, became the 400 GT when the 3.5-liter V12 was upgraded to 3.9 liters, and this time there was a 2+2 option. The GT gave way to the short-lived Islero in 1968, and that in turn handed the baton over to the Jarama in 1970.

Related: Top Gear Takes The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Up The Stelvio Pass

Despite being designed by Marcello Gandini, the man who penned the Miura and would go on to create the Countach, the Jarama is an awkward design. The wheel arches are cut weirdly high into the front and rear fenders, and while the retracted headlamps give it an impressively sinister face that looks undeniably cool, the conventional fastback rear end is less memorable. But you could argue that its brutal combination of straight lines helped pave the way for the Countach prototype that appeared a year later, in 1971, and with a production run of fewer than 330 units, the Jarama is one of Lamborghini's rarer cars.

Lamborghini upgraded the Jarama in 1972, adding an S to the name, NACA ducts and a scoop to the hood, and 15 hp (15 PS) to the power rating, giving the six-carb 3.9-liter V12 a claimed 360 hp (365 PS) output. The gorgeous 1960s knock-off rims were replaced with more contemporary five-lug wheels and an optional Chrysler Torqueflite three-speed automatic transmission enhanced its GT credentials.

That's the transmission fitted to the 1975 Jarama S reviewed in this video by Colleen Sheehan of YouTube channel Ferraris Online, and currently being offered on the Bring-a-Trailer auction site. The one-time metallic blue, but now bright orange, Jarama S might just be your last chance to buy a Ferruccio-era Lamborghini without having to sell your house first.

The snag is it's being listed as a project, because while it looks good in the pics, it needs some recommissioning, including a new set of tires, an air conditioning rebuild, headlamp overhaul, engine service and a brake job. Which doesn't sound that bad, but we are talking an early 1970s Lamborghini, so it's not like putting a Honda Accord back on the road after a two-year layup.

Are you a fan of Lamborghini's ugliest car? And are you brave enough to buy this one? Leave a comment and let us know.

Hyundai and Rolls-Royce Holdings Aim To Get Fuel-Cell Aircraft In The Air By 2025

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 05:12 PM PDT

The Hyundai Motor Group and Rolls-Royce Holdings (the aviation company) today signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on the development of sustainable power for the advanced air mobility market.

"We are pleased to partner with Rolls-Royce to draw upon their aviation and certification expertise to accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion systems,” said Jaiwon Shin, President of Hyundai Motor Group. “We believe this to be the key technology to support the global aviation industry's goal to fly net-zero carbon by 2050."

Together, the companies will collaborate on developing propulsion systems for passenger drones using electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies based on Hyundai’s Regional Air Mobility platforms. They will also work to prepare Rolls-Royce Holdings to produce these power systems.

Read Also: Hyundai Bringing Autonomous, Electric Flying Vehicles To The Skies In 2028

The ultimate result of the collaboration will be to deliver a fuel-cell electric aircraft demonstration by 2025, with the eventual aim of bringing that vehicle’s propulsion system to the wider advanced air mobility market.

"We are delighted to partner with Hyundai Motor Group,” said Rob Watson, the president of Rolls-Royce Electrical. “The Advanced Air Mobility Market offers great commercial potential, and this collaboration supports our joint ambitions to lead the way in the Advanced Air Mobility Market.”

Using hydrogen as a fuel source, the companies say, offers all the benefits of electric propulsion (both the suppressed sound and the low emissions) as well as long range. The companies will also work to bring hydrogen fuel cells, storage systems, and infrastructure to the aerospace market.

Supernal, Hyundai Motor Group’s U.S.-based advanced air mobility unit, plans to begin flying customers in urban areas by 2028. Hyundai plans to launch longer-range flights in the 2030s.

2020-2021MY Subaru Legacy And Outback Recalled Over Timing Chains That Might Snap

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 04:41 PM PDT

The Subaru Legacy and Outback are two of the most popular offerings from the Japanese brand in North America. Now, a new recall says that a number of newer vehicles from the 2020 and 2021 model years could end up stranding themselves on the road due to timing chain slip or failure. And the problem seems to affect drivers that shift into gear quickly after starting the vehicle.

This new recall only affects 182 vehicles in total but it’s an addition to another recall from late last year with more than 198,000 units afected. That recall included the Legacy and Outback as well but also applied to the Ascent SUV. This new recall focuses on just those first two vehicles but adds 2021 model year units.

At the heart of the problem seems to be the programming of the Transmission Control Unit, or TCU. Subaru says that it’s capable of engaging the clutch fully before the drive chain is fully clamped. When that happens, the chain can slip and in some cases it can break while the vehicle is in motion, causing a complete loss of power.

Read More: Wiring Harness Issue Could Cause The 2022 Subaru Outback's Engine To Cut Out

Subaru says that the programming should have a minimum secondary pressure requirement before allowing the forward/reverse clutch to be fully engaged. Without it, drivers who regularly shift into forward or reverse immediately after starting the vehicle might have already had damage occur due to chain slip. Not only will Subaru update the programming on affected vehicles to eliminate the potential for further damage, but they’ll also inspect the chain to ensure that it’s not already damaged.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that there are any symptoms to indicate whether or not a vehicle that’s subject to this recall has been affected before total failure occurs. To that end, it’s probably best to have your vehicle checked out before driving too much further if you own one of these Legacys or Outbacks.

Dealer notification has already begun across the nation so finding out if your vehicle is included is as simple as a call there or to Subaru itself. As is standard in most recalls, any and all work to repair the vehicle properly will be completed at no cost to customers.

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