Autos

The Thundertruck is the futuristic electric vehicle many of us dreamt of waking up to on Christmas morning. Concepted by the Los Angeles design agency, Wolfgang, the two-part project was made to challenge current automotive design principles, while maximizing offroad performance. The proposed launch campaign positions the multi-purpose EV as “rugged, eco-friendly and versatile.” A reliable truck that was inspired by the vast Australian Outback and designed to visually fascinate both outdoor aficionados and young trendsetters. Examining the specs of the vehicle truly gets the imagination going — from a 180kWh battery pack, 800 horsepower engine that can reach over 500 miles, batwing solar awnings to a holographic information display. If the 4×4 isn’t enough, Wolfgang ...

Tesla‘s latest software update lets drivers use their car as a megaphone to project messages to the outside world. Last week, Electrek reported that Tesla’s annual holiday software update gives users the ability to swipe through TikTok while the car is in park, in addition to adding new games, including Sudoku and the original version of Sonic the Hedgehog, to the car’s arcade. Now, the company has announced that its software update also includes the capability to turn Tesla vehicles into a megaphone. According to Electrek, the megaphone function is an add-on to the existing Boombox feature introduced last year. “Our new Boombox Megaphone allows you to project your voice via your car’s external speaker — perfect for announcing to your friends when it’s time to...

HYPEBEAST previously reported that Tesla is under yet another investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This time, the case focuses on reports of Tesla vehicles allowing drivers to play video games on the front touchscreen of the car while in motion. The Guardian noted that just less than a day after the NHSTA revealed that they would be investigating Tesla on these claims, the company announced that it will be sending out an update to prevent drivers from playing games while the car is moving. The NHSTA said that the company is expected to send out a software update so that the “Passenger Play” function will be locked at the time of driving. This change will be implemented across all four of Tesla’s models with this function. Tesla offi...

Nissan‘s Nismo Heritage program is expanding its catalog of enhanced motor parts with three made-to-order tailpipes and exhaust systems for the automaker’s R32, R33 and R34 Skyline models. The three exhaust systems are composed of titanium and utilize an updated black-color DLC for its Nismo iconography. The new diamond-like coating is said to prevent the system from changing color from the exhaust heat, like a typical titanium exhaust would. Additionally, each system is approximately 12.5 kg (27.5 lbs) lighter than previous exhausts and reduces exhaust pressure for a roughly 7% increase in power. Nissan recommends the systems only be installed in R3 or R4 models, not on the automaker’s S1 or S2-engine vehicles due to their turbocharger. The exhausts built for the R32 and...

Last month, Hollywood director Michael Bay teamed up with the Miami-based vintage supercar dealership Curated and former entertainment news anchor Alex Aievoli to bring forth four automobiles from the celebrated franchise of The Transformers. Headlining the range is the notorious 2010 Chevrolet Camaro “Bumblebee” from Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon, featuring a front fascia, spoiler, hood, and more unique details for filming purposes. The hero car is followed by the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG from the same movie, driven by Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington. Next in line is the heavily customized 2016 Ford Mustang “Barricade” featured in Transformers 5: The Last Knight. The Deep Impact Blue GT police car with an Ebony interior is fitted with worki...

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating an estimated 580,000 Tesla vehicles over reports that drivers can play video games from the front center touchscreen while the car is in motion. The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has opened a preliminary evaluation after a complaint alleged that the Tesla gameplay functionality is enabled even when the car is being driven. “This functionality, referred to as ‘Passenger Play,’ may distract the driver and increase the risk of a crash,” the agency said. ODI states that the capability has been available since December 2020 in Tesla “Passenger Play”-equipped vehicles, and prior to this, was only available for passengers when the car was in park. “ODI will ...

Seven months after Ford initially revealed its 2022 F-150 Lightning lineup, the American automaker has finally offered more details regarding the new electric pickup, with a spotlight on its hefty battery packs. Available in two configurations, the F-150 Lightning series will have a range of roughly 230 miles with a Standard Range 98kWh battery, while the Extended Range package will give it a boost to 300 miles with its 131kWh capacity. In terms of availability, the former option will accompany the Lightning Pro, the XLT and the Lariat, while the latter will come standard for the top-end Platinum trim and be optional for both the XLT and Lariat. On top of battery capacities, Ford also shed more light on some of its other features. Power fold mirrors will only be available to the Lariat and...

At just 27 years old, Justin Bieber has not only made names in the music industry but also in fashion and recently, food and beverage. Following his latest collaborations with Balenciaga and Tim Hortons, the Italian luxury scooter brand Vespa announced an unprecedented 2022 team-up with the pop sensation. Over the years, the international star has been spotted riding Vespa, proving him a scooter enthusiast and the project inevitable. In this partnership, Justin Bieber honors style and design – his constant source of inspiration – by giving his own touch to the classic Italian brand. “My fans know how much I love sports: skateboarding, hockey, basketball, BMX,” said the multifaceted Canadian, “I’ve always been drawn to that mix of style, grace and speed. I’m excited ...

Qun Hung — the man behind Onehandmade Taiwan — has just released new images of his shop’s take on the Honda CT125. This new build takes the commuter motorcycle and adds off-road, Baja-inspired elements. Created for a friend that is a photographer by profession, the client requested a modest upgrade for the outdoors without breaking the bank. Updates to this Honda Cub arrive in the form of mud tires, a Moriwaki exhaust, a larger rear rack, new micro switches, a custom Alcantara diamond-stitched seat, minimal blinkers and taillight, a K-Speed intake cover, crash bars, and Onehandmade’s signature Big Eye yellow dual headlights. Check out the fun off-road Honda CT125 build above. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Onehandmade_tw (@qun_hung) In other automotive...

As 2021 comes to a close, Tesla has released its annual holiday software update. On Monday, the company introduced new driving features, as well as a few integrations just for fun, across Tesla models, Electrek reported. To help with blind spots, Tesla has unveiled a tool that was originally requested by customers last year. Whenever a driver uses a turn signal, the video screen will automatically show a live camera feed of the car’s blind spots. The holiday update has streamlined controls overall, making windshield wipers, charging and trip and odometer information all more accessible. It’s also been made easier to reorder or add multiple destinations to a navigation route. For the cold weather months, specifically, users have the ability to precondition the cabin from the Tesla app even ...

After announcing their partnership back in May, Uber and Arrival have now unveiled the Arrival Car, a collaborative EV designed specifically for ridesharing. Designed primarily with functionality and comfort in mind, the new vehicle carries a very simple design on its exterior, largely resembling a minivan with a slightly more futuristic twist. An elongated windshield extends upwards to cover the length of the roof, giving both the driver and passengers a roomier and more relaxed riding experience, while a boxed rear provides enough luggage space for two large suitcases and two smaller ones. As you’d expect, a lot of the main focus was placed on the interior instead, making sure there’s enough room for drivers who spend hours on end stuck inside the vehicle and passengers at th...

Ken Block is a living legend in the automotive world, known for his incredible abilities on the drift circuit and for tackling Gymkhana courses, but now the American driver is looking towards the future of electrification with the announcement of his new car: the Audi S1 e-tron Quattro Hoonitron. Audi’s one-of-a-kind electric car has been developed for Block’s Elektrikhana video, which is an EV take on his famous Gymkhana series. Speaking on the collaboration, Block said, “Audi has now developed this car for me and my team, and has joined us in our next project. [It] has made a dream come true for me. The Hoonitron is writing the next chapter in our history and taking our Gymkhana story into the future.” But the car is more than just an exercise in showing off, as i...