The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has set a new record for the biggest altitude change by an electric vehicle. The feat was organized by Hyundai Motor India and saw the EV descend 19,035 feet (5,802 meters).

The trip started at India’s highest drivable point of Umling La in Leh Ladakh, which is 19,025 feet (5,799 meters) above sea level. Over the next two weeks, the car traveled to Kuttanad, Kerala, which is 9.8 feet (3 meters) below sea level.

More: Hyundai’s American-Made Ioniq 5 Costs More But Goes The Extra Mile

During those 14 days, the Ioniq 5 covered more than 3,045 miles (4,900 km). The car had to endure “challenging terrain and extreme climatic conditions” as well as multiple recharging sessions.

Hyundai was unsurprisingly coy about the latter, but the US-spec Ioniq 5 has an EPA-estimated range of up to 318 miles (512 km). This suggests the car would have required at least ten recharges to accomplish the record, although the actual number is presumably higher.

In a statement, Hyundai Motor India Managing Director Unsoo Kim said, “We are incredibly proud to see the Hyundai Ioniq 5 create history by achieving the Guinness World Record for the greatest altitude change by an electric car. This achievement is a testament to Hyundai’s unwavering commitment to innovation, technological excellence, and sustainability.” He added, “The Ioniq 5’s performance in such extreme conditions reflects its engineering prowess and durability.”

Hyundai didn’t say much about the record-breaking car, but the 2025 Ioniq 5 features revised styling, beefier batteries, and a new NACS port. There’s also a rugged XRT variant that is distinguished by unique fascias and “digital camo” accents. They’re joined by a 0.9-inch (23 mm) lift and matte black wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires.

If you own a 2023 or 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning, this one’s for you. Ford has issued a recall for nearly 12,000 of these electric pickups in the US, citing a safety defect with the front upper control arms. Why does this matter? Because this flaw could cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles entirely.

It’s a significant safety concern that has already been linked to at least one alarming incident. In that case, an F-150 Lightning unexpectedly swerved into a highway guardrail at 60 mph. Now, Ford is taking steps to ensure no one else faces a similarly dangerous situation.

The F-150 Lightning was one of the first electric pickup trucks to hit the market, but several recalls have been issued for it over the past couple of years, addressing problems related to the battery pack, the cabin coolant heater system, and even a potential fire hazard. This latest recall impacts 11,922 models manufactured from November 5, 2023, to February 13, 2024.

Read: F-150 Lightning Owners Might Get Chilly This Winter As Ford Recalls 931 EVs Over Busted Heater

Ford’s recall notice states that certain F-150 Lightnings may have an improperly torqued nut on the ball joint, which secures the front upper control arm to the knuckle assembly. A loose nut could cause the upper control arm to separate from the knuckle assembly. If this happens, drivers may “experience a partial loss of directional control.” Clearly, that’s not a good thing, and increases the risk of a crash.

The nut in question may not have been torqued correctly due to variances in the alignment or orientation between the fastening tool and the fastener. This could have induced lateral forces on the tool, preventing it from properly seating on the fastener. According to the recall notice, owners of trucks with a loose or missing ball joint nut might notice unusual vehicle vibrations or hear clunking or rattling noises while driving.

Ford is aware of two field reports and one warranty claim related to the issue.. The problem came to light on September 12, when an owner’s F-150 Lightning unexpectedly veered into a highway side rail. While the truck had just 639 miles on the clock, an inspection by a Ford dealer revealed that the upper control arm nut was missing, and the joint had separated from the knuckle, resulting in the crash.

The Blue Oval plans to alert owners starting February 3, 2025. Dealerships will inspect the nuts on affected vehicles and run a torque test. If the nut fails the test, both the nut and the knuckle assembly will be replaced. For now, if you own one of these trucks and hear unusual noises or notice anything off with your vehicle’s handling, don’t wait, get it checked out immediately.

Battery giant CATL has introduced a new skateboard chassis for electric vehicles, focused on delivering maximum safety for the battery pack. The CATL Bedrock Chassis has survived a demanding 120 km/h (75 mph) frontal collision against a pole without catching fire or exploding, setting (according to the company) new standards in the safety of future EVs.

The skateboard chassis integrates the battery cells, featuring a “three-dimensional biomimetic tortoise shell structure” and an “high-ductility energy-absorbing insulation film”. For its construction, CATL used submarine-grade hot-formed steel, aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, and multiple barrier structures, making it as rigid as possible.

More: See What Happens When Two Cars Hit A Chinese EV At 60KM/H In Triple Crash Test

Furthermore, the high-voltage circuit of the battery is being disconnected in 0.01 seconds after the impact, with the discharge being completed within 0.2 seconds.

Going above and beyond C-NCAP’s requirements

Thanks to its design, the Bedrock Chassis is capable of absorbing 85% of the vehicle’s collision energy, which marks a significant improvement compared to the 60% of a traditional chassis. This is important in collisions as demanding as the frontal pole crash test that simulates impact with trees, power poles, or animals.

According to CATL, the pole crash test at 120 km/h (75 mph) generates 21 times more energy compared to the 56 km/h (35 mph) full-width frontal impact test which is currently the standard in the C-NCAP (China New Car Assessment Program).

Besides the 120 km/h (75 mph) test, the battery cells have undergone high-speed sled impact tests at 60 km/h (37 mph), 90-degree bending tests, and sawing tests, proving their resilience into catching fire or exploding.

CATL

Modular design considerably shortens development times

The company claims that the Bedrock Chassis shortens the R&D cycle for new production models from 36 months to only 12-18 months. This was made possible by its modular design, with the chassis being decoupled from the upper body, allowing to to be used in multiple vehicle types. Furthermore, the platform is compatible with L3 and L4 autonomous driving, and is flexible in terms of software.

CATL has confirmed that Avatr will be the first automaker to use the Bedrock Chassis in a production vehicle, although they haven’t disclosed the timing of its launch.

In a recent video shared on YouTube, CATL explains the measures they have taken to ensure the safety of their battery packs during all different kinds of collisions. The company acknowledged the extra risk involved in side impacts, which is why they have already improved the design of the battery casing.

Faraday Future has teetered on the brink of collapse numerous times in recent years, but it refuses to die, at least not yet. In September, it announced a new mainstream brand dubbed Faraday X (FX), and it’s now revealed that it will display two prototype mules at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 5.

Helping make Faraday X a reality is a new $30 million round of financing that the embattled car manufacturer has secured. Of this, $7.5 million has been made immediately available to the company, while it has $22.5 million in new cash commitments it will receive if it meets its objectives.

Read: Faraday Future Teases Mainstream FX Prototype

The two FX prototype mules will arrive at the firm’s Los Angeles headquarters later this month, before they’re shown to the world at CES. During the event, the brand will also “provide updates on its FX strategy.” Faraday Future is remaining tight-lipped about its immediate plans, but we know it wants to launch two more affordable electric vehicles dubbed the FX 5 and FX 6. The first is “expected” to be priced between $20,000 and $30,000, while the latter should cost between $30,000 and $50,000. Interestingly, both battery-electric and range-extended powertrains will be offered.

“The new funding lays a solid foundation for both FF and its new brand as the Company approaches the end of 2024 and enters the new year,” global chief executive of Faraday Future Matthias Aydt said. “I am optimistic about the opportunities that this new funding will bring, including supporting the ongoing production of our FF 91 2.0 and the growth of the FX brand.”

Launching an electric vehicle brand is not easy, and Faraday Future has experienced this firsthand. It was founded in 2014 but has seemingly spent more time trying to sure-up its finances than developing and testing its first production vehicle – the FF 91. Not too long ago, Fisker went belly-up as it attempted to go mainstream with the recall-plagued Ocean. Can Faraday Future avoid this fate?  

The region drained by the Amazon River, including the Amazon Rainforest, is in the second year of a punishing drought. That has lead to the lowest water levels in more than 100 years for the Amazon and its major tributaries. Millions of people and an array of wildlife depend on those quickly disappearing waters. In a story we first brought you in October, we travel to the region to see the effects.

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VW bypassed conventional dealerships for selling upcoming Scout electric trucks Dealer interests in California say this is in violation of franchise laws Existing automakers sell vehicles via franchise or direct model, but not both California has the most EV-friendly policies of any state, but that warm-and-welcoming attitude isn't shared by the...

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Dodge is diving into the world of electric cars, attempting to blend its muscle-bound swagger with the reality of an evolving EV future. The Charger Daytona stands as Dodge’s poster child for this electric gamble, but whether it’s a seamless evolution or a try-hard cosplay of the future is up for debate. Either way, we have a massive photo gallery of the brand’s latest creation in R/T and Scat Pack trims, and there’s a lot to unpack.

Official: Dodge’s New Charger Coming To Europe And The Middle East In 2025

Production of the Charger Daytona is already underway at Stellantis’ Windsor Assembly Plant in Canada, with deliveries expected by early 2025. But if you’re one of those patient types holding out for the ICE-powered Hurricane inline-six model, grab a Snickers—it won’t be ready until spring or so.

Looks That Talk Loud, Even Without a V8

If anything, Dodge knows how to make an entrance, and the Charger Daytona’s design doesn’t shy away from theatrics. The R/T trim, particularly in Redeye, is a standout with its sharp lines and those 20-inch Blacknoise wheels. The see-through grille directing air to the hole on the sculpted hood is an EV-specific feature, as the gas-guzzling Charger needs this space for the engine. The ICE model stands out with its larger bumper intakes and proudly displayed exhaust pipes.

For the Scat Pack, Dodge leans into sporty touches like the “Stage 2” bee emblem on the profile. It also features a lip spoiler at the rear and Brembo brakes with red calipers, included as part of the standard Track Pack. The gallery showcases it in the After Dark (blue) color, alongside other options like White Knuckle (white) and Triple Nickel (silver). These represent just a few of the available colors in Dodge’s official configurator.

The Interior: Muscle Car Meets Tron

Step inside, and it’s like the Charger Daytona has been to a high-end spa and gotten a full digital detox. The cockpit has ditched the dated Challenger vibes for a much slicker (and welcome) setup. The cockpit rocks a 10.25-inch instrument cluster (upgraded to a 16-inch unit in the Scat Pack) and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. The high-mounted center console sends strong muscle car vibes, even though the EV doesn’t need this for the transmission tunnel.

More: How Does The 2024 Dodge Charger Coupe Compare To The Challenger?

The ambient lighting on the dashboard and door cards gives a futuristic tone to the cabin. Furthermore, the Scat Pack has sports seats with integrated headrests, which are upholstered in suede and Nappa leather.

EV Options With AWD

The Charger Daytona rides on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, which accommodates both electric and ICE versions. The EV models are powered by dual motors, meaning all-wheel drive comes standard. However, this setup has drawn criticism in early reviews, particularly for the absence of the signature V8 rumble. Dodge’s solution—the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, a system that cranks out artificial engine noises—is certainly loud and distinct, but it remains a divisive feature, to say the least.

More: 2024 Dodge Charger Shows Its Wild Side In Widebody And Demon Renders

In the R/T, the combined output is 456 hp (340 kW / 462 PS), while the Scat Pack increases power to 630 hp (470 kW / 637 PS). Additionally, the PowerShot function provides access to a beefier 496 hp (370 kW / 503 PS) in the R/T and 670 hp (500 kW / 679 PS) in the Scat Pack, though it lasts for only 15 seconds each time.

Both EV trims are equipped with a 100.5 kWh battery pack, providing a respectable driving range of 317 miles (510 km) in the R/T and 260 miles (418 km) in the Scat Pack.

Pricing of the Dodge Charger Daytona starts at $59,595 for the R/T and at $73,190 for the Scat Pack.

ICE Is Not Dead (Yet)

While the fully electric muscle car was the first to arrive, the most anticipated version of the new Dodge Charger is the one featuring the twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six engine. The engine will initially be available in two power outputs, delivering 420 hp (313 kW / 426 PS) and 550 hp (410 kW / 558 PS).

The ICE-powered Charger might have lost the V8 magic of the HEMI-powered Challenger, but it will still satisfy muscle car buyers who don’t want to make the transition to electric. After all, the V8 is out of the question for the new generation, as it would require significant re-engineering in order to fit in the engine bay.

Banshee Power Incoming

Dodge has hinted at some even more bonkers versions of the Charger Daytona in the pipeline, including an EV with the Banshee tri-motor setup. If the concept’s numbers hold up, this thing could crank out a staggering 1,320 hp (984 kW / 1,338 PS), leaving V8-powered Demons and Hellcats sulking in the corner. Whether anyone actually needs that much power is beside the point—this is, America, after all, where “excess” isn’t just a word, it’s a way of life.

Four-Door Charger Sedan

Dodge has confirmed that a four-door Charger version, set to replace the old Charger sedan, is on the way, which means you can haul the kids while pretending you’re Vin Diesel at the same time. Interestingly, both versions of the new model measure 206.6 inches (5,252 mm) long, sharing the same 121-inch (3,074-mm) wheelbase and an identical roofline. This means that the added practicality of the rear doors won’t be combined with extra space for the rear passengers.

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(Image credit: Millo Moravski)

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Chinese automaker BYD has been aggressively expanding its global footprint, with Brazil being a key part of its growth strategy. However, that momentum screeched to a standstill on Monday when Brazilian authorities halted construction on a new manufacturing plant, throwing the company’s plans into uncertainty.

According to government officials, the construction company responsible for the project, called Jinjiang Construction, treated its 163 workers like modern-day slaves. These workers, reportedly hired in China by a separate firm, were allegedly brought to Brazil through irregular—and highly questionable—means. To make matters worse, over 100 of them had their passports withheld, effectively trapping them in exploitative conditions.

The conditions we’re talking about here are truly brutal. The workers lived on the construction site. The accommodations offered by the company included beds without mattresses and, in one case, one bathroom for 31 workers. As such, an official report from the government says workers would often all wake up around 4 a.m. so that everyone could have access to the restroom before beginning work at 5:30 a.m.

More: BYD To Finalize Location For Mexican Factory This Year

“In one of the rooms, occupied by a cook, pots with prepared food were found left open on the floor, exposed to dirt and without refrigeration, to be served the following day,” says the Public Labor prosecutor’s office.As if that weren’t bad enough, the construction company, Jinjiang Construction Brazil LTD., based in Sichuan, China, evidently made life harder when it came to pay and job freedom.

“The workers were required to pay a deposit, had 60% of their wages withheld (receiving only 40% in Chinese currency), faced excessive costs for terminating their contracts, and had their passports withheld by the company,” authorities added.

These conditions were bad enough that Jinjiang Brazil LTD is now prohibited from continuing its operations. While the workers will remain in the same accommodations for the time being, they are no longer allowed to work for Jinjiang. Authorities are scheduled to meet with BYD and Jinjiang on the 26th to determine the next steps.

Alexandre Baldy, Senior Vice President of BYD Brasil, stated, “BYD Auto do Brasil reiterates its commitment to full compliance with Brazilian legislation, especially with regard to the protection of workers’ rights and human dignity.”

BYD, short for Build Your Dreams, is already the top-selling EV car brand in the country and the new facility was supposed to come online next year. However, it’s now unclear how this controversy will impact the company’s plans moving forward.

Credit: MPT Brazil / HT: SCMP.com

Canoo seems to be up a creek without a paddle. On December 18, the company sent its employees home on a “mandatory unpaid break,” which is set to last through the end of 2024. As of now, the outlook for the EV startup in 2025 remains uncertain. o put it simply, nothing appears rosy for the once-promising electric vehicle manufacturer.

All of this caps off an incredibly challenging year for Canoo. In April, reports revealed that the company spent twice as much on the CEO’s private jet as it earned in all of 2023. By August, it was facing lawsuits for missing payments to a debtor. Then, in November, the company furloughed 23 percent of its staff.

Read: Canoo Furloughs 23% Of Factory Staff After Selling Only 22 Vehicles Last Year

TechCrunch reports that the brand locked employees out of their access to Canoo systems beginning on December 20. Benefits are said to last throughout the rest of the month. On top of this, a new report from KFOR says that Canoo lied about building cars in Oklahoma.

In November 2023, the brand announced it was delivering its first “made in Oklahoma” EVs to the state government. The governor even celebrated the occasion, stating, “For the first time in 17 years, vehicle manufacturing is back in Oklahoma.” However, it turns out that might not be entirely true.

In an interview with KFOR, a former employee of Canoo claims that not a single car was made in the factory there. They also shed some light on the financial trouble the brand is facing. “They hired too many, too quick, and paid too much,” the former employee said. “Everybody was a boss, and everybody wanted to be everybody’s boss… everybody had a director title, so nobody’s doing anything. They have tons of equipment… It looks great. They have literally everything to run an entire assembly line for cars.”

Despite that equipment, they made no bones about where the production cars came from. “I can tell you, those did not come off our assembly line… If you talk to any Canoo employee, they’ll tell you those do not come off the assembly line.”

Read: Canoo Made $886,000 In 2023, Spent $1.7 Million On CEO’s Private Jet

“All those were handmade in Justin, Texas, by a totally separate company called AFV,” the unnamed employee said. “They made them, they handmade them, and then they just brought them here. And most of them, they ended up just getting – like 90 percent of all the vehicles just got decals swapped out on them.”

Notably, the CEO of Canoo, Tony Aquila also owns AFV. Carscoops reached out to the company to get its take on the situation and has not receive a reply as of this writing. 

Tesla’s Cybertruck is supposed to be the future of transportation, a stainless steel creation that promised to redefine what trucks could be. Instead, it’s often making headlines for redefining customer frustration. One brand-new Cyberbeast was delivered to its owner only to start leaking oil almost immediately. After all, when you drop six figures on Elon’s vision of the future, an oil slick in your driveway is exactly what you signed up for.

To make matters worse, Tesla estimates it will take at least a month to fix the issue, leaving the unhappy customer stuck with a Nissan loaner in the meantime. On top of that, the company reportedly refused to provide a refund or offer a replacement Cybertruck.

More: Pothole Snaps Cybertruck Frame Leading To $34,000 In Repairs, Owner Still Sings Its Praises

The owner of the Cyberbeast, who chose to remain anonymous, shared his story with the nearly 240,000 members of the Tesla Cybertruck Group on Facebook, complete with a few photos documenting the unfortunate leak.

“My brand new Cyberbeast is 3 days old and already having major issue after just one night at home – there’s oil all over the place from the back of the truck (maybe half a gallon per day),” the owner wrote in the post. “According to Tesla, they need to take it back in for service for at least a month or more. It looks like it’s losing drive train oil.”

Photos: Tesla Cybertruck / Facebook

The owner added: “The problem is, I haven’t even driven it once. What should I do? I think Tesla must buy it back and get me a new one. For now, I’m stuck without a truck driving a loaner Nissan they gave us and still have to make a payment! They won’t give me my money back only after they fix it give it back to me and then they can ask their legal department for a buy back… a nightmare”

While electric vehicles don’t require regular oil changes like their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, they do rely on lubricants for high-friction components like electric motors and single-speed transmissions. When something goes wrong, those lubricants can spill out, leading to a situation like this one.

Read: Cybertruck Owner Fixes Problem Tesla Dealer Couldn’t Solve With A $13 Amazon Part

It’s easy to sympathize with the frustration of dealing with a major issue on a truck you’ve never even had the chance to drive. Hopefully, Tesla will not only resolve the problem but also work to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a Cybertruck has been reported leaking oil. In a previous incident, a small rock reportedly struck a hole in the electric motor’s housing during light off-roading, causing a similar issue. That repair came with a $7,660 bill, which the Tesla dealer refused to cover under warranty.

Muscle car enthusiasts in Europe and the Middle East will soon gain access to Dodge’s full range of new Charger models, with sales expected to begin late next year, Stellantis confirmed to Carscoops. While it won’t do much to quell the controversy among traditionalists over the retirement of the Challenger name, the phasing out of the Hemi V8, and the introduction of a battery-electric powertrain, it does signal Dodge’s attempt to dip its toes into export markets.

We reached out to Dodge to ask whether the new Charger would be offered in markets outside North America. “The Dodge Charger will also be sold in the Middle East beginning in the second half of 2025,” a Stellantis spokesperson told us. “It will be available through importers in Europe, also in the second half of 2025.”

Read: Dodge Dealers Already Discounting New Charger Daytona EV Under MSRP

While Dodge has yet to specify which versions of the Charger will be the first to go on sale in these markets, the spokesperson confirmed that all four variants—including two- and four-door body styles, available with both internal combustion engines and EV powertrains—will eventually be offered in both regions.

First EV Charger: The Daytona

The first new-age Charger to launch in the United States is the two-door Charger BEV, known as the Charger Daytona. It’s available in two configurations. The base model features a pair of electric motors producing 456 hp and 404 lb-ft (547 Nm) of torque, powered by a 100.5 kWh battery pack. For power-hungry enthusiasts, the flagship Daytona Scat Pack offers a more robust 630 hp and 627 lb-ft (849 Nm), propelling it to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.3 seconds.

ICE Lives On: Hurricane Powertrains

For those craving the visceral thrill of a gas-powered engine, two ICE versions of the Charger coupe and sedan will be available down the line, both equipped with the Hurricane 3.0-liter inline-six engine. Offered in two configurations, the standard-output and high-output, the base model generates 420 hp and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm), while the more powerful version ups the ante to 550 hp and 550 lb-ft (746 Nm).

Unfortunately for purists, it doesn’t look like a manual gearbox will be part of the lineup. Instead, both models are expected to feature the new 880RE eight-speed automatic transmission, based on the fourth-gen ZF unit that replaces the outgoing TorqueFlite 8HP70 found in the previous Charger and Challenger.

As for US availability, Dodge has yet to confirm when buyers can expect the Charger Sixpack to hit dealerships. However, recent reports suggest its local launch may have been moved up to early 2025 after pressure from Dodge dealers. Do note, though, that these reports emerged before the abrupt resignation of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, meaning the timeline could still shift as the company adjusts to its leadership changes.

Toyota plans to open a factory in Shanghai around 2027 to build next-generation Lexus EVs. The new manufacturing facility will serve an important role in Toyota’s planned Chinese expansion as it aims to double local production by the decade’s end.

The Japanese carmaker will be alone in building this new Chinese plant, rather than through a joint venture, like its existing FAW Toyota or GAC Toyota businesses. This could make it the first Japanese carmaker to have a plant in China, underlining the importance of the world’s largest car market.

Read: Toyota Wants To Build Up To 3 Million Cars A Year In China By 2030

While details about the factory are few and far between, Nikkei Asia notes that Lexus wants 100% of its global sales to come from EVs by 2035 and is aiming to sell 1 million EVs by 2030. The brand sold roughly 180,000 vehicles in China last year and whereas most other Western carmakers have struggled through 2024, Lexus sales were up 3% from last year.

Prior to 2018, foreign carmakers wanting to establish manufacturing sites in China had to partner with a local firm. However, brands can now enter the market without a joint venture. Building a plant in China will help Toyota benefit from the cheap, skilled, and efficient local labor force needed to manufacture EVs.

Nikkei Asia did not specify which Lexus EVs will be built at the Shanghai plant but it could be the production versions of the LF-ZC and LF-ZL concepts. The two new models are underpinned by a next-generation EV architecture featuring gigacasted modular front, center, and rear portions. By using structurally independent front and rear sections, Lexus will be able to integrate new and improved batteries when they become available.

The launch of these new models has been pushed back from 2026 to 2027, which lines up nicely with the planned opening of the Chinese site.

Mercedes-Benz is working on both ICE and EV versions of the next-generation GLB, and the electric variant has been spotted testing for for the first time. It’s expected to hit the market in 2026 and while it’ll have a similar boxy shape to the outgoing model, it will have all-new underpinnings.

This prototype may be covered in camouflage, but some black tape across the front end hints at the shape of the new grille. Whereas the current GLB has a single horizontal slat across the grille, this new one appears to have three, but importantly, the grille itself doesn’t appear to be any bigger.

Read: 2026 Mercedes GLB Spied With New Styling And Both EV And Gas Power

The new headlights include LED daytime running lights shaped like a three-pointed star, mimicking a design first previewed by the CLA Concept, which will become a common styling trait among every next-gen Mercedes model. Elsewhere, a panoramic glass roof is visible on this prototype, as are silver roof rails.

As with the current model, the glasshouse will remain quite large while the new taillights extend across the rear quarter panels, and their shape is hidden quite well but a combination of camouflage wrap and dummy panels.

The spy shots also offer a glimpse of the interior, where part of the digital gauge cluster is visible. Mercedes is doubling down on its seamless dashboard design, which integrates both the gauge cluster and infotainment screens into one panel, for a clean, modern layout.

Powertrain and Performance

Underpinning the new GLB will be the all-new MMA platform, which will be also used in the next Mercedes-Benz CLA. Electric models will feature an 800-volt electrical architecture that should offer an impressive 320 kW charging speed, capable of adding ~248 miles (400 km) when plugged in for just 15 minutes at a rapid DC charging station. At least two different battery packs are expected, and the longest-range model could offer a driving range of up to 466 miles (750 km) on a single charge.

What About The ICE Model?

For those who still prefer the hum of a combustion engine, the ICE-powered lineup will feature a mild-hybrid 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a small electric motor within an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The engine will be available in different outputs: 134 hp (136 PS), 161 hp (163 PS), and 188 hp (190 PS), with an additional 27 hp (20 kW) from the electric motor. Later on, we should see AMG performance version, likely incorporating hybrid assistance to provide extra power.

Norway is the largest exporter of salmon in the world. And while some of those fish are wild-caught, many are raised in "fish farms"- large cylindrical pens made of nylon in the open water. Sometimes these farmed fish escape, mixing with the local population and causing ecological issues. In a story we first brought you in October, we see farmed fish in a Norwegian fjord and hear about potential solutions to the problem.

(Image credit: Rob Schmitz)

In the early 20th century, a blight fungus wiped out most of the 4 billion American chestnut trees on the eastern seaboard. The loss was ecologically devastating. Short Wave host Emily Kwong dives deep into how scientists are trying to resurrect the American chestnut tree — and recent controversy over a plan to plant genetically modified chestnuts in the wild.

Want to hear about more efforts to recover endangered or lost species? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org!