Tag Archives: impending

Motorsport

Cruise CEO And Co-Founder Kyle Vogt Steps Down

The founder of Cruise has resigned, and we’re taking a look at BMW’s upcoming electric revolution.

This is AM Drive, Motor1’s daily look at the news you need before you get in your car.

Kyle Vogt, CEO Of Cruise, Has Resigned

Kyle Vogt, the co-founder of General Motors’ Cruise autonomous driving unit, has stepped down as the CEO. In a series of posts on Twitter, Vogt reflected on the company’s achievements, including providing more than 250,000 driverless rides since its establishment in 2013. The 38-year-old executive expressed his intention to spend more time with family and explore new ideas in the future.

Vogt’s resignation comes after a challenging period for Cruise. An accident involving a robotaxi and a pedestrian in San Francisco led to the suspension of Cruise’s driverless permits by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, prompting a halt in activities across the United States. These events were followed by layoffs announced by GM at its self-driving unit.

These recent developments at Cruise highlight the ongoing challenges in achieving completely self-driving and trouble-free vehicles, despite significant investments in the industry. According to Bryan Reimer, a research scientist at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics and MIT AgeLab, Level 5 autonomy may never be achievable. However, significant progress has been made, with BMW and Mercedes receiving Level 3 certification for their top models, the 7 Series and S-Class, in addition to Tesla’s Autopilot.

BMW Projects 50 Percent Of 5 Series Sales In Europe Will Be The i5


News

Relaxed Euro 7 emissions rules would extend life of Skoda Fabia

A relaxation of the impending Euro 7 emissions regulations could see the lifecycle of the petrol-powered Skoda Fabia supermini extended well into the second half of the decade. 

Many car company executives have expressed concerns about the impact of Euro 7, which is set to be implemented in 2025. They argue that the new regulations will make it difficult for small, affordable combustion cars to comply with the strict emission limits. This would require expensive engineering modifications such as fitting electrically heated e-catalysts and new on-board diagnostic technology, which would significantly increase production costs and render them economically unfeasible.

Klaus Zellmer, the head of Skoda, stated earlier this year that it would not be possible to continue selling the Fabia, at least not at its current starting price of under £19,000, if Euro 7 goes ahead as planned. He explained that raising the list price to over £20,000 to compensate for the increased production costs would not be a practical option for customers.

However, the European Commission is now expected to revise the initial Euro 7 proposals following objections from countries like Spain, Italy, France, and the Czech Republic. These countries argued that the proposed regulations would impose significant costs on manufacturers without providing substantial environmental benefits. They also expressed concerns that the strict rules would divert investment away from the goal of transitioning to electric vehicles.

The new proposals, which still need to be approved by the European Parliament and Commission, would maintain the same limits imposed by the current Euro 6 standards for passenger cars. This would significantly reduce the cost of compliance for automakers.

The Skoda Fabia leads the Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza through a corner

Zellmer, speaking to Autocar at the launch of the new Skoda Kodiaq following the announcement of the less strict Euro 7 proposals, praised the potential change as a more realistic approach. He acknowledged that this could help extend the potential lifespan of the combustion-engine Fabia. However, he also emphasized that the new regulations still need to go through the legislative EU process before any celebration can take place.

News, Science

Musk’s Neuralink Is Seeking Volunteers for Controversial Implant Test

Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk, is launching its first human trial called the PRIME (Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) study. The primary focus of this trial is to evaluate the safety of the implant and the surgical robot used to insert it into the human skull and connect wire-like electrodes to the brain tissue.

The N1 implant, unlike the previous pig and rat test versions, will be “cosmetically invisible,” according to Neuralink. It will be housed inside a biocompatible white enclosure and powered by a wireless charging battery. The implant consists of custom silicon and more than 1,000 electrodes that are placed inside the brain tissue.

The robot used in the surgery has an incredibly thin needle, thinner than a human hair, to delicately insert the electrode threads. This step is currently considered the most complex and risky part of the entire implantation process. Neuralink envisions that its brain interface will eventually help restore vision for the blind from birth and restore full body functionality in individuals with spinal cord injuries. Despite concerns about safety and skepticism surrounding the technology, Musk has previously stated that he intends to personally get a Neuralink chip implanted.

News

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 250SX To Launch In Japan In August 2023

On August 8, 2023, Suzuki officially announced that the 2023 V-Strom 250SX will be launched in the Japanese market. The bike has already been successfully launched in other Asian markets, including India, the Philippines, and Indonesia, where it is also manufactured.

Engine Specifications

The V-Strom 250SX is powered by a 249cc oil-cooled single-cylinder engine. It produces a claimed 25 horsepower at 9,300 rpm, and 16 pound-feet of torque at 7,300 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox.

Brakes and Standard Equipment

The V-Strom 250SX comes with a pair of single-disc brakes, both front and rear. It features 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels with dual sport tires. The bike also includes handguards, an engine cowl, an LCD display, a USB charging port, and a rear shock with seven levels of preload adjustability.


2023 Suzuki V-Strom 250SX - Studio - Yellow - Right Side

15 Photos

Dimensions

The V-Strom 250SX has a ground clearance of 205mm (8 inches), a seat height of 835mm (32.9 inches), and a curb weight of 164 kilograms (361.5 pounds). Suzuki also offers a low seat accessory for shorter riders, which lowers the seat height to 815mm (32 inches).

Colors, Pricing, and Availability

The 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 250SX will be available in three color options in Japan: Champion Yellow Number Two, Pearl Blaze Orange, and Glass Sparkle Black. The bike will be available at Suzuki dealerships across Japan starting on August 24, 2023.

The base MSRP for the 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 250SX is 569,800 yen (about $3,976), including the 10 percent Japanese consumption tax. Additional accessory options are available at an extra cost, including a top case adapter plate, a top case, an accessory bar, tank pad, tank protector, and heated grips.