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Runtime: 5:41
0:07 Winterkorn Charged in VW Diesel Scandal
0:52 Germany Investigating Daimler Over Emissions
1:12 Weekend Race Results
1:59 VW Reveals I.D. ROOMZZ
2:45 Mustang’s New High Performance Package
3:44 Nissan Refreshes the Versa
4:18 Audi Unveils AI:ME Concept
4:55 Volvo Adds New Safety Tech in Europe
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This is Autoline Daily reporting on the global automotive industry.
WINTERKORN CHARGED IN VW DIESEL SCANDAL
Authorities in Germany are finally cracking down on Volkswagen management for their role in the company’s diesel emission scandal. Earlier today, prosecutors filed charges against former CEO Martin Winterkorn and four other executives for participating in the cheating. They are being charged with fraud and unfair competition and face anywhere from 6 months to 10 years in prison. They may have to also forfeit bonuses they collected during the time they sold vehicles with the emission cheating software. The U.S. government filed charges against Winterkorn a year ago but he’s remained in Germany which doesn’t extradite citizens for prosecution in the U.S. So maybe now he will face the punishment he deserves.
GERMANY INVESTIGATING DAIMLER OVER EMISSIONS
But VW isn’t the only automaker in trouble with German authorities over emissions. Daimler is being investigated over equipping 60,000 Mercedes GLK’s, built between 2012 and 2015, with emission cheating software in diesel engines. Daimler said it followed the rules and is cooperating with authorities.
WEEKEND RACE RESULTS
And a quick update on this weekend’s race results. In Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in his Mercedes at the Chinese Grand Prix. Martin Truex Jr. got his first short track victory on Saturday night in Richmond, VA in his Toyota, just beating out Joey Logano. And in California, Alexander Rossi dominated the Grand Prix of Long Beach, leading all but 5 laps of the race in his Honda.
VW REVEALS I.D. ROOMZZ
Volkswagen has shown the next vehicle under its I.D. family umbrella. This concept is a 5-passenger EV, called the I.D. ROOMZZ. Based on the WLTP test, its 82-kWh battery pack returns 450 kilometers or about 280-miles of range. Two motors, one in front, one in rear, combine for 225 kW of power, which helps the I.D. ROOMZZ move from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. Other highlights include Level 4 autonomous driving and seats that can swivel inward up to 25 degrees or be completely reclined. The concept will officially debut later this week in China.
MUSTANG’S NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGE
Ford is helping to bridge the gap between its V8 and 4-cylinder Mustangs by offering a new High Performance Package for the 4-cylinder. Horsepower is boosted from 310 to 330 when using premium fuel and 0 to 60 moves down into the 4.5 second range. That’s with either a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic. The car also gets quad exhaust tips, brakes and tires from the Mustang GT as well as chassis and aerodynamics hardware from the Mustang GT Performance Package. The new 2.3L High Performance Package is available on the entry-level Mustang EcoBoost fastback or convertible models this fall.
NISSAN REFRESHES THE VERSA
Last week, Nissan revealed that it’s dropping the Versa Note hatchback from its lineup. The sedan is living on however and the company just unveiled the updated version. It adopts the company’s V-Motion grille and it has a new headlamp design. The interior styling has also been refreshed. It’s powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder engine, which can be mated to a CVT or a five-speed manual. It’s also now available with a number of driver assistance safety features. The 2020 Versa goes on sale in the U.S. this summer.
AUDI UNVEILS AI:ME CONCEPT
We’ve seen a number of concepts from automakers which showcase their visions of what a future autonomous car could look like. And now it’s Audi’s turn. The company just revealed a self-driving concept called the AI:ME. The electric car was designed for use in the city, so It’s about the same size as a compact car. The vehicle features Level 4 autonomy and still has a steering wheel and pedals, which fold up when they’re not needed. It can seat up to 4 people but the interior can be reconfigured for different uses as well. The AI:ME makes its debut at the Shanghai auto show.
VOLVO ADDS NEW SAFETY TECH IN EUROPE
Volvo’s in Europe will soon be able to automatically warn other Volvo’s about road conditions. The connected technology, which will be available next week in the region, allows Volvo cars to communicate with each other and alert drivers to nearby slippery road conditions and hazards. The feature is standard on all 2020 model year vehicles and can even be retrofitted for certain older models.
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John McElroy is an influential thought leader in the automotive industry. He is a journalist, lecturer, commentator and entrepreneur. He created “Autoline Daily,” the first industry webcast of industry news and analysis.