Tag Archives: California

Motorsport

Genesis G80 Facelift Spy Photos Show Updated Lights, Restyled Interior

A facelifted Genesis G80 has been spotted in California, giving us a closer look at the changes made to this upscale sedan. The heavy camouflage is still present, but the combination of bright sunlight and clear images reveals some of the modifications. We also catch a glimpse of the updated interior through the passenger window.

Compared to our previous sighting, it seems that the exterior changes for the G80 will be minor. The split-light design is retained both at the front and rear, although the headlights appear slightly smaller. The pixel LED elements are also visible and shine brightly in the sunlight. Looking closer, you can see that the front fascia has undergone minor revisions, with the corner vents being slightly reduced in size. The large shield grille, however, does not extend as far into the central opening as before.

Genesis G80 Front View Facelift Spy Photo
Genesis G80 Front View Facelift Spy Photo
Genesis G80 Front View Facelift Spy Photo

It is possible that the grille will also be slightly smaller, following the design changes seen on the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata. These models feature redesigned front clips with smaller grilles, so it is plausible that a similar approach will be taken for Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand.

While the sides of the prototype remain hidden, we can see that the twin lightbars on the fenders will be retained. At the rear, the taillights show some differences compared to the previous model. The twin bars are still present, but the lenses appear larger, although this could be due to the contrast between the darker quarter panels and the brighter trunk. Additionally, the rear fascia features different body lines, and the faux exhaust outlets have been revised.

Genesis G80 Rear View Facelift Spy Photo
Genesis G80 Rear View Facelift Spy Photo

Although we previously spotted a G80 prototype, we now have a partial view of the interior. Looking through the passenger front window, we can’t discern the details, but it appears that the floating-style center touchscreen is no longer present. The slope of the dash in front of the driver is less prominent, suggesting that the updated G80 may adopt a layout similar to the larger G90 model. The heavy covers on the dashboard indicate that more significant changes may be happening beyond minor trim updates.


Motorsport

Volkswagen Teases Plug-In Hybrid California Camper Concept

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has released teaser renderings for a new plug-in hybrid California concept camper. The full debut is set for August 25 at the Caravan Salon show in Düsseldorf, Germany, with the production version expected to arrive in 2024.

The California concept is based on the long variant of the Multivan and features a pop-up roof that adds 6.5 feet (two meters) of height when deployed. The teaser image also shows an extending awning on both sides.

In one of the photos, a control panel for the thermostat, lights, and cooling box is visible, giving us a glimpse of the cabin.

The Multivan is currently available with an eHybrid plug-in hybrid powertrain, which consists of a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, producing a total output of 215 horsepower (160 kilowatts) and offering up to 30 miles of electric range. However, it’s not confirmed whether this same powertrain will be used in the new California camper.

VW Commercial Vehicles CEO Carsten Intra stated during the division’s annual press conference in March, “We want to expand the range around the business with our camping models – and thus offer our customers that special California feeling. These include digital services for the Cali Community, completely new services to complement the purchase of a vehicle… but also the show car presentation of the new California based on the Multivan.”

In addition to the California variant based on the Multivan, VW also plans to build a California variant of the ID. Buzz, an electric camper, set to arrive in 2025. Although no official details are available yet, it is expected to have popular motorhome features such as a sleeping area and a small kitchen. Aftermarket companies in Europe are also working on similar offerings.

The ID. Buzz itself, which is an electric van, is scheduled to arrive in the United States in 2024. The US version will have a longer wheelbase than the European version, with the passenger version offering room for up to seven people (five- and six-occupant variants will also be available). Two battery options will be offered, one with 82 kilowatt-hours (77 kWh usable) and another with 91 kWh (85 kWh usable). The standard powertrain will deliver 282 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, while the GTX grade will add all-wheel drive and 335 horsepower.

The California name for the motorhome version of the VW Transporter was first introduced 35 years ago at the Caravan Salon. Since then, VW Commercial Vehicles has produced over 260,000 units. The new California camper will be the fifth generation of this iconic model.

Car review

Fisker Ocean

The Fisker Ocean comes with a unique feature called ‘California mode’. With just a touch of a button, the car opens its sunroof and lowers seven of the eight panes in the glasshouse, giving you a near open-air driving experience without actually removing the roof. Another interesting feature is the car’s infotainment screen that can rotate to a landscape orientation when parked, allowing you to stream your favorite TV shows while waiting for the car to charge. These features may seem gimmicky but they add novelty to the overall experience.

However, Fisker hasn’t neglected the substance elsewhere. The company aimed to bring value to the family EV class with the Ocean, and it delivers on that front whether you opt for the entry-level or mid-level price.

In the UK, the mid-level, twin-motor, Ultra-spec model starts from just under £50,000. In comparison, competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y, BMW iX1, and Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD have higher starting prices ranging from £51,000 to £65,000. Despite the lower price, the Fisker Ocean offers 106kWh of usable battery capacity and up to 440 miles of WLTP-certified electric range. These figures are on par with more expensive electric vehicles like the Mercedes EQS.

During testing, the Fisker Ocean demonstrated its capability of achieving a range of 375-400 miles on a warm day, comprising a mix of urban, motorway, and country road driving. For those with on-street parking or apartment lifestyles, this car is convenient as it only requires charging once or twice a week. Fast charging is possible at up to 200kW using DC charging or at a nearby on-street AC charging post, making it a suitable option for those accustomed to traditional combustion-engine cars.

Cars, News

Tesla Under Investigation in California for Autopilot Complaints

Tesla is facing a new investigation in California regarding complaints about its Autopilot system. The investigation, conducted by the California Attorney General’s office, includes contacting the driver who filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as well as reaching out to a former Tesla employee who has expressed concerns about Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) in public comments. The duration of the investigation is uncertain, but it is reported to be ongoing, with the driver contacted in the second quarter of this year and the former employee contacted recently.

This is not the first time Tesla has faced such actions in California. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has been investigating the company’s Autopilot technology for years and accused it of deceptive marketing practices in 2022. Additionally, in January 2023, a senior Tesla engineer alleged in a lawsuit that a promotional video for Autopilot, published in October 2016, was staged. The engineer claimed that the Tesla was not actually driving autonomously but following a pre-programmed route. This testimony was given in relation to a lawsuit filed against Tesla over a fatal car crash in 2018.

Motorsport

Mercedes First To Receive Level 3 ADAS Approval For Use In California

Mercedes-Benz becomes the first automotive company to receive certification from California state to sell standard-production vehicles equipped with Level 3 conditionally automated driving. Basically, this means that certain Mercedes models can be driven in the largest US automotive market without interaction between the driver and the machine under certain conditions. The driver must still be ready to take over if the system disengages, though.

The automaker’s Drive Pilot system will be available as an option on the 2024 S-Class and 2024 EQS models and the first cars equipped with the tech are expected to be delivered to customers in late 2023. The same system made the German brand the first automaker in the United States to offer Level 3 automated driving back in January this year when Drive Pilot was certified for use in Nevada.