Author: EVAI

The A6 E-Tron and S6 E-Tron replace the gas-powered A6 in Audi’s lineup The A6 and S6 E-Trons arrive in the U.S. next spring or summer Audi hasn’t said how much the A6 E-Tron and S6 E-Tron will cost Audi on Wednesday took the covers off the new A6 E-Tron and its S6 E-Tron performance variant. Available as a Sportback hatch or Avant wagon…

• Concerns about use of driver data

• Analyst almost crashes during Tesla test

• Stellantis offers buyouts

• New Mercedes EVs headed for U.S.

• Tesla recalls 1.8 million vehicles

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT owners can make their cars quicker with a few taps of their phone and a one-time charge.

On Tuesday, Ford announced a Performance Upgrade for the 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT that increases torque and drops the electric crossover’s 0-60 mph and quarter-mile times. The performance boost costs $995 plus tax.

The Performance Upgrade increases the Mach-E GT’s torque rating by 100 lb-ft, which takes output from 600 to 700 lb-ft. Horsepower remains unchanged at 480.

The increase in torque and recalibration subsequently drops the Mach-E GT’s quarter-mile time of 12.4 seconds and 0-60 mph sprint of 3.8 seconds down to 11.8 seconds and 3.3 seconds, respectively, according to Ford.

Ford spokesperson Sam Schembari told Green Car Reports the update is only available for the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT.

The GT Performance Edition, which used to sit above the Mach-E GT in the lineup, had 634 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The GT Performance Edition was discontinued after 2023.

The added torque comes standard on the Mach-E Rally.

The Performance Upgrade can be optioned when buying the Mach-E GT, but current owners can now buy the package via the FordPass smartphone app. Upon purchase the update will automatically unlock the increased performance for the EV “within minutes,” according to Ford.

Ford upgraded the Mustang Mach-E lineup for 2024 with faster charging and more range on some trims. The 2024 Mach-E GT gained 10 miles of EPA-rated range for a total of 280 miles.

A new in-house-designed motor and thermal changes were swapped in for 2024 as well.

Ford said the 2024 Mach-E fast-charges from 10-80% in 36.2 minutes, which is 8.8 minutes quicker than when the Mach-E launched.

• Mercedes could have a Tesla Model Y competitor in 2026
• Production will reportedly begin in October 2025
• The compact crossover will replace the EQB EV in the lineup

Mercedes-Benz may be prepping an electric version of its upcoming CLA-Class sedan, along with a related crossover SUV.

On Tuesday, Automotive News reported that an electric version of the Mercedes-Benz CLA four-door sedan will enter production. A crossover based on the electric CLA might follow the sedan and arrive in the first half of 2026.

AutoForecast Solutions has said production of this electric CLA-based crossover, which is being viewed as a direct shot at the Tesla Model Y, is expected to begin in Rastatt, Germany in October 2025.

The Model Y-fighting Mercedes carries an internal codename of X174. Mercedes won’t speak to future product plans.

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz previewed the upcoming electric CLA coupe in 2023 with the Concept CLA-Class. The concept was meant to show off the engineering of Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), which is to serve as the base for four compact EVs in multiple body styles. One will be the rakish four-door sedan while another will be the compact crossover bearing the codename X174.

The crossover would likely replace the current EQB EV crossover, which is an EV based on today’s gas-powered GLB. AutoForecast Solutions Vice President Sam Fiorani told Automotive News the EQB, which launched in 2022, will not be replaced when production ends in late 2025.

The MMA platform features an 800-volt electrical architecture that is said to enable DC fast charging at up to 250 kw, which would recover up to 248 miles of range in 15 minutes. The electrical architecture also includes vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) capability.

Mercedes touted that the MMA platform was designed around a “remarkably small” battery pack with multiple chemistries. Base models will use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry while upper-end models will use an anode made with silicon oxide. The pack design is said to be lighter weight than today’s batteries and provide greater structural stiffness for the vehicle.

Mercedes developed an EQXX concept that went 746 miles on a single charge in 2022. The focus of that car was all about efficiency. The Concept CLA was said to use the silicon-carbide power electronics, battery-cell packaging, and heat pump all derived from the EQXX.

In February Mercedes delayed its EV sales targets that would’ve had the automaker going all-electric in some markets by 2030. Automotive News said a new gas-powered CLA will arrive in 2026 after the EV model. The gas and electric CLAs will reportedly share similar styling and both ride on the new MMA platform.

Kia is close to unveiling an updated EV6 and a prototype for the updated version of its high-performance EV6 GT variant has been spotted. Kia has already released some photos of the updated EV6, and they show a dramatic change in styling is planned for the front end. The changes, which will include new headlights and a revised fascia, will also…

Nissan marketing and sales VP Vinay Shahani discusses making the car the star of advertising, while regaining some of the brand’s irreverence.

BMW is set to unveil the new M5 Touring next month during 2024 Monterey Car Week. The debut will take place on Aug. 15 in Pebble Beach, and BMW has already confirmed sales of the super wagon are planned for the U.S. The new M5 sedan made its debut in June and is due to start deliveries late this year. It arrives as a 2025 model and has been priced…

The world’s most famous automotive seat manufacturer is out of money. On Monday, Automobilwoche reported Recaro Automotive filed bankruptcy through Germany’s Esslingen District Court. Recaro Automotive GmbH reportedly has 215 employees at its factory in Kirchheim under Teck, Germany. Autocar reported employees were caught off guard and not made…

Asbury Automotive Inc.’s dispute with CDK Global over data access might delay the national dealership group’s plans to test Tekion at four Georgia dealerships by a month, Asbury told a Georgia court last month.

The 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten is the S-Class of pickup trucks The V-8 is dead, and a high-output turbo-6 is exceedingly powerful The 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten carries a luxury price at $89,070 Anyone looking for the nicest full-size pickup truck money can buy should just head to their local Ram showroom. The 2025 Ram 1500 sports a redesign that sees the…