This is a quick roundup of what’s happened in automotive for the week of August 4 through August 10, 2024.
2025 Nissan Frontier Gets New Design, More Capability
Nissan has announced specifications and package updates for the remodeled 2025 Frontier pickup truck. The midsize truck will have more long-bed options, a higher towing capacity, and a larger infotainment screen to go with its design refresh.
BMW’s Tests of Humanoid Robots Declared Success
The BMW Group has been exploring the use of humanoid robots at its Spartanburg production plant in Tennessee. The robots, made by Figure, a California-based company, are capable of learning tasks through video repetition and observation. BMW used the robots to improve production in areas where humans are often in awkward or dangerous positions repeatedly.
Acura Celebrates Endurance Car Racing Legacy at Monterey
Acura salutes its championship heritage in sports car competition at the 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion with the return of its 2008 Acura ARX-01b racer.
Nilu27 Reveals New Hypercar
After weeks of teaser images and specs, Nilu27 has finally unveiled the new Nilu hypercar. Made of lightweight aluminum-alloy and carbon fiber, the Nilu features a 1,000-horsepower V12 engine and open-gate, seven-speed manual transmission.
Sacrilege Motors Returns to Pebble Beach To Debut Enigma Coupe
The Sacrilege Motors Blackbird unveiled at last year’s Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach. This year, Sacrilege brings a new debut, the Enigma. The company’s first production coupe for sale.
2025 Acura RDX Gets Refresh
The 2025 Acura RDX sees a mid-cycle refresh with new front and rear styling, interior upgrades, and added technologies. A new “frameless” Diamond Pentagon grille and mesh and a new center console design are highlights.
Ford Upgrades 2025 Police Interceptor Utility
Ford has upgraded the 2025 Police Interceptor Utility with its standard hybrid powertrain and technology updates.
Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two Announced
Range Rover has announced the return of the Range Rover Sport SV as the Edition Two. The new Rover Sport SV will include four unique color options, powerful engine options, and high-end luxury fitments.
Intel Unveils Discrete Graphics Processing Unit for Automotive
Intel has unveiled the first discrete graphics processing unit (dGPU) meant specifically for automotive applications. The Intel Arc Graphics for Automotive and AI Cockpit Innovation Experience were unveiled in Shenzhen, China.
EV Battery Pack Costs Have Dropped 90% In 15 Years
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office has estimated the cost of electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries have dropped by about 90 percent since 2008.
Dodge Unveils “Fratzonic Chambered” Exhaust Sound for Charger Daytona EV
The Dodge Charger Daytona will debut in 2025 as an electric muscle car. The car, which replaces the Dodge Challenger two-door, returns the Charger as the two-door muscle car it was originally. But being electric, it has no exhaust note. But Dodge is remedying that with a new Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system. This is a sound output that mimics an exhaust system from a V8-powered car as well as the “rumble” felt by a powerful engine.
Ram Truck Dropping the 1500 Classic From Production
The Ram 1500 Classic model will cease production with the introduction of a new entry-level model, the Ram 1500 Tradesman, based on the current generation of the pickup. The 1500 Classic was based on the previous-gen truck. The dropping of the model from the Warren Truck Assembly plant comes with the layoff of about 2,500 workers as production drops to one shift.
