Author: news@motorauthority.com (Stephen Edelstein)

Future Stellantis EVs might feature the flexibility to execute a tank turn Rivian ended up passing on tank turns The electrical Mercedes-Benz G-Class could make a tank turn Following the lead of a handful of other automakers, Stellantis is seeking to patent an EV tank-steer system for off-road use, allowing vehicles to spin around on the spot without moving forward. A patent application for this feature was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on July 25, after being filed by Stellantis in early 2023. It discusses using a mechanical differential to spin the wheels on each…

Future Stellantis performance hybrids could have launch control, a newly discovered patent filing indicates. A patent application for a hybrid-specific launch control system from the automaker was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Aug. 8, 2024, after being filed by Stellantis in February. The appliance discusses not only applying launch control—which assists the driving force in getting off the road quickly—to hybrids. Stellantis hybrid launch control patent image Current launch control systems, which generally require the driving force to carry the brake and accelerator pedals after which release the brake pedal to set off, don’t work…

Honda is patenting its own version of the mid-gate that is making a return on the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickup trucks. First spotted by Automobile and Driver, a Honda patent application published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on June 27, details what the automaker calls an “adjustable cargo area partition.” Nevertheless it looks an awful lot like a mid-gate, albeit with some differences from what we have seen to this point on production vehicles. Honda mid-gate patent image As an alternative of completely folding all the way down to create uninterrupted space…

North Carolina Toyota Land Cruiser specialist TLC 4×4 has released a brand new restomod that fuses different Land Cruiser generations into one capable off-roader. The 1989 FJ142 Land Cruiser maintains the variety of a Eighties Land Cruiser with the body from the FJ62 model sold during that decade. But that body sits on the frame from a later FZJ80 Land Cruiser from the Nineties—with additional modern updates. TLC 4×4 FJ142 1989 Toyota Land Cruiser Further exterior changes include LED headlights, a brand new front bumper, rear bumper with tire carrier, front fender and rear quarter vents, a Warn winch, and…

Tesla’s Cybertruck gained off-road modes via an over-the-air software update Cybertruck’s off-road modes include Overland, Baja, and Wade The off-road modes also enable the mechanical locking differentials The Tesla Cybertruck now features an off-road mode that offers the chrome steel EV trail-ready capability. Tesla announced that the off-road mode can be pushed to Cybertrucks via a software update in May, but now the automaker has released a video showing off-road mode in motion on the paths of Moab, and providing a bit more detail on its functions. Off-road mode includes multiple drive modes selectable via the central touchscreen, much like…

Lexus added the Black Line Special Edition package back into the ES lineup for 2025 The 2025 Lexus may be had with a V-6, inline-4, or hybrid powertrain Costing $43,190, the 2025 Lexus ES doesn’t get a price increase for the brand new model yr The 2025 Lexus ES regains its Black Line Special Edition appearance package, but is otherwise unchanged from the previous model yr. The bottom price can also be unchanged, not less than. Last offered 4 years ago, and limited to 1,000 units in North America for 2025, the Black Line Special Edition treatment features a black…

Dodge is developing lively aerodynamics for its EVs The primary Dodge EV to get lively aerodynamics could be the Charger Daytona muscle automobile A patent was filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office outlining the lively aerodynamics Stellantis may add an lively aerodynamic feature to the Dodge Charger Daytona, a recent patent filing indicates. First spotted by CarBuzz and Published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on May 9, after being filed by Stellantis in 2023, the patent filing shows pop-up airfoils on the forefront of the Charger’s front fascia. Normally flushh-mounted flaps deploy up and…

Aston Martin’s DBS successor will feature a brand new V-12 engine since it’s what its customers want, Alex Long, the automaker’s head of product and marketing strategy, said in a recent interview with CarThrottle. The engine was recently confirmed by Aston Martin to be a newly developed version of the present twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V-12, and carry an 824-hp output within the DBS successor, a automobile tipped to revive the Vanquish nameplate. Big engines aren’t really essential anymore for performance. Aston Martin currently races in Formula 1 with turbocharged V-6 hybrid powertrains, and each the Ferrari 296 GTB and McLaren Artura…

EV front trunks, or frunks, provide handy cupboard space, but a recent Ford patent filing points to a approach to make them much more useful. The filing in query outlines giving frunks climate control. It was published by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on March 19 but originally filed by Ford in 2022—roughly the identical timeframe as many other frunk-related patent filings from the automaker. Ford climate-controlled frunk patent image On this case, Ford specifically describes climate-controlled trunks that may keep groceries or other temperature-sensitive items from getting too hot or too cold. One option discussed by Ford…

Since its launch in 2018, the Cullinan SUV has turn out to be Rolls-Royce’s hottest model. Rolls is now applying some design and tech updates to make sure it stays that way. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II encompasses a refreshed exterior highlighted by tall vertical daytime running lights that frame the headlights and grille, which itself is now illuminated. The front bumper now bends downward as well, mixing with the running lights to create a line fully encircling the grille. Other changes include a trim line running along the edges of the Cullinan and a chrome steel piece between the…