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Runtime: 9:00
0:08 Waymo Expands Autonomous Ride-Hailing Service
0:42 How Toyota Weathered the Chip Shortage
1:40 Ram Refreshes the ProMaster Van
3:18 Europe Gets New, Sportier Focus ST
4:15 Acura Hints at Electric NSX
4:53 Cadillac To Race in IMSA & WEC in 2023
6:05 Mazda Ready to Introduce MX-30 To U.S.
6:39 Porsche Updates the Taycan
7:44 Opel Introduces New EV Based on The Citroen Ami
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This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.
WAYMO EXPANDS AUTONOMOUS RIDE-HAILING SERVICE
Waymo is expanding its autonomous ride-hailing service to San Francisco. But it will only be available to select “trusted tester” customers, who can sign up for the program through the Waymo One app. The service is similar to the one it launched in Phoenix, Arizona in 2017 and the fleet will use modified Jaguar I-Pace’s to give the rides. But Waymo did not say how many vehicles it will use. Backup human drivers will be on board for safety reasons but at some point the rides will be run without them.
HOW TOYOTA WEATHERED THE CHIP SHORTAGE
Toyota seems to have weathered the chip shortage better than most automakers and we have an idea why. First, when plants shut down last year due to the coronavirus, Toyota made sure it kept in touch with suppliers about its manufacturing plans. Also in the 1990’s when it was developing the Prius, Toyota built its own battery and electronics plants as well as a facility to make semiconductor chips. So, it was already making its own chips. And lastly, when a fire took out a good portion of chip maker Renesas’ plant in Japan, Toyota jumped in with its engineering divisions to help by duplicating drawings of damaged equipment and then made that equipment from scratch. We wouldn’t be surprised if that helped with its procurement of chips. Here’s an interesting fact. Modern vehicles can use as many as 1,000 semiconductor chips. So, it’s no wonder manufacturers run out of them so fast.
RAM REFRESHES THE PROMASTER VAN
Ram updated the ProMaster van. It’s available in 18 configurations, including two roof heights, three wheelbases and four lengths. Underneath the hood is a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine that’s mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission, which replaces a 6-speed unit. The van is capable of towing up to 6,910 pounds and has a payload of 4,680 pounds. It comes standard with a number of new safety technologies and its available with new advanced driver assistance features. The new ProMaster will be available in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of the year. The company also revealed that an electric version of the ProMaster is coming in 2023 but didn’t share any other details.
EUROPE GETS NEW, SPORTIER FOCUS ST
I’m sure I’m not the only American that was sad to see the performance ST versions of the Focus and Fiesta go away. But our friends across the pond can now get behind the wheel of an even sportier version of the all-new 4th generation Focus ST. Called the ST Edition, it features Ford Performance-tuned coil-over shocks, lighter 19-inch wheels, electronic limited slip differential and a 50% increase in spring rate over the standard ST. And to make sure customers get the most out of the car, Ford provides an adjustment guide to tune the coil-overs to a number of conditions. And while no changes were made to the powertrain, it does have a few unique touches inside and out. The Focus ST Edition is available to order in select European markets, including the UK where it’s priced at nearly 36,000 pounds or the equivalent of $49,000.
ACURA HINTS AT ELECTRIC NSX
And something else that made me sad was the announcement that the Acura NSX will be going away. Albeit with the exciting Type S version. But it’s only mostly dead. Speaking to The Drive, Acura VP and Brand Officer Jon Ikeda said, “If you notice, we make an NSX when there’s something we want to say. The first-gen was gas. Second-gen was a hybrid. There’s gonna be another one.” Asked if it would be electric, Ikeda smiled and did not comment further. So, we think it’s safe to say the next NSX will be electric.
CADILLAC TO RACE IN IMSA & WEC IN 2023
Cadillac revealed it’s going to compete in the LMDh category in both the IMSA and WEC racing series starting in 2023. It only provided this one picture of the hybrid race car, which is based on a Dallara chassis and will feature a specified hybrid system, but a unique combustion engine. Its first race will be the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
And we’ll finish off the show with some electric vehicle news.
MAZDA READY TO INTRODUCE MX-30 TO U.S.
Mazda is gearing up to introduce its first EV in the U.S., the MX-30. It hits dealerships this fall with a starting price of $34,645, however it will only be available in California at first. The range is also disappointing compared to other new electric vehicles. Its 35.5 kWh battery only provides 100 miles of range. It also features an 80.9 kW electric motor.
PORSCHE UPDATES THE TAYCAN
Porsche updated the Taycan for the 2022 model year. Most notably, it added an electric freewheel function that reduces drag by decoupling the electric motors in more scenarios. Porsche says this increases real-world range, but it’s not re-homologating the car, so its advertised range is not going to change. The automaker improved the Taycan’s thermal management and charging functions. The battery can now be heated to a higher temperature which means fast charging is available sooner and at a higher level, which helps reduce charge time. The Taycan is now available with remote park assist that allows the owner to remotely control the vehicle with a smartphone. Android Auto is integrated into the infotainment system for the first time, along with Apple CarPlay which was already available. And 65 more paint colors are available for the EV, including this eye-catching pink. The new Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo hit dealerships in the U.S. this fall.
OPEL INTRODUCES NEW EV BASED ON THE CITROEN AMI
And lastly, Opel introduced this tiny electric called the Rocks-e. If it looks somewhat familiar that’s because it’s based on the Citroen Ami. The car is designed for urban driving. Its equipped with a small 5.5 kWh battery which provides 75 kilometers or 46 miles based on the WLTP cycle. And the two-seater is just under 8 feet long. It also features doors that open in the opposite direction, which gives it even more of a unique look. The Opel Rocks-e will first be available this fall in Germany and will roll out to other markets sometime next year.
But that wraps up today’s show, thanks for watching.
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Seamus and Sean McElroy cover the latest news in the automotive industry for Autoline Daily.