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Jaguar's Divisive Type 00 Concept Debuts
Andrew Evans
December 03, 2024
Good morning, SpeedBites readers! Today’s edition is packed with electrifying updates and intriguing stories from the automotive world, as the long-teased Jaguar Type 00 Concept makes its debut in Miami, while Jack Doohan will make a surprise F1 debut in Abu Dhabi after Esteban Ocon vacates his Alpine seat. As you enjoy these stories and more, consider sharing SpeedBites with friends who share your passion for all things automotive. Let's hit the road together!
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY NEWS
Jaguar has introduced the Type 00 concept car at Miami Art Week, marking a pivotal step in its transition to an all-electric luxury brand with plans for a four-door GT car set to debut next summer. The Type 00, which features distinctive design elements like a long bonnet and pop-out rear view cameras, aims to reset the brand's identity while emphasizing a zero-emission future, with the production model expected to launch in late 2026.
Tesla has instructed Cybertruck production employees at its Austin factory not to report to work for three days, reflecting potential demand issues for the vehicle amid inconsistent worker schedules. Despite a strong third quarter driven by sales in China, Tesla's overall numbers for the year show a decline, leading to recent price adjustments and incentives aimed at boosting sales of the Cybertruck, which has seen a significant drop in pre-orders since its initial unveiling.
Nissan is currently facing significant challenges, with CEO Makoto Uchida announcing the company is in "emergency mode" and implementing cost-cutting measures, including job losses for around 9,000 employees and a 17 percent reduction in U.S. production. CFO Stephen Ma's potential departure adds to the uncertainty as the automaker struggles with flat global sales and the need to enhance its hybrid offerings in a competitive market.
The electric Ford Puma Gen-E has been unveiled, featuring a 43kWh battery that offers a maximum range of 233 miles, extendable to 325 miles in urban conditions due to regenerative braking. The design retains elements from the petrol version while incorporating new features like a revised center console, improved cargo space of 523 liters, and two trim levels priced from £29,995, with the first deliveries expected in late March.
Mazda plans to continue developing Wankel rotary engines for use as generators in future electric vehicles, despite the poor sales performance of its previous model, the MX-30. The automaker aims to introduce a new all-electric SUV by 2027 that will feature a rotary generator, while also collaborating with Changan Automobile to deliver another electrified crossover for Europe before the same year.
KTM, facing a potential bankruptcy with debts of three billion dollars, is initiating a self-administration restructuring process that includes significant cuts to its MotoGP program and other racing activities. The company experienced a 27 percent decline in sales during the first half of 2024, attributed to high interest rates and excess dealer inventory, prompting plans to reduce production and streamline operations to stabilize its financial situation.
The Biden administration's Department of Energy is prepared to loan up to $7.5 billion to Stellantis and Samsung SDI for the construction of two battery plants in Kokomo, Indiana, under their StarPlus Energy joint venture, with the first plant expected to open in 2025 and the second in 2027. This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase electric vehicle manufacturing, which has seen significant funding proposals, including a separate loan commitment for Rivian's assembly plant in Georgia.
Hyundai has issued a recall for 226,118 vehicles due to potential failures in rearview cameras caused by defective circuit boards with insufficient solder joints, which violate federal safety standards. The automaker plans to replace the faulty cameras with an updated design, and notifications to affected vehicle owners will start in early January 2025; there have been no reported accidents or injuries linked to this issue.
MOTORSPORT
Jack Doohan, the son of motorcycle champion Mick Doohan, will make his Formula One debut for Alpine at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix following the early release of Esteban Ocon, who has signed with Haas. Doohan, 21, will also participate in the post-season test at Yas Marina, as Alpine aims to solidify its position in the championship standings.
Ayumu Iwasa, a member of Red Bull's driver academy, will participate in his second FP1 session of the 2024 Formula 1 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, replacing Yuki Tsunoda. Iwasa previously drove for Red Bull at Suzuka and has been competing in the Super Formula series, where he finished fifth in the standings.
This weekend in Abu Dhabi, Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa will make his competitive debut in Formula 1 with McLaren, stepping in for Oscar Piastri during the team's second rookie practice session of the season. Hirakawa, who joined McLaren's development program last year and has experience driving the MCL35M and MCL36 in private tests, has previously won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship.
During the Qatar Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc completed all 57 laps without access to fluids due to a connection failure with his drinks bottle, a situation he noted would have been more challenging in the previous season's high-heat conditions. Despite the physical demands of the race, which included three safety car periods, Leclerc described the experience as manageable and enjoyable, highlighting a significant difference from last year's race.
Christian Horner has indicated that Sergio Perez is aware of the challenging situation regarding his future with Red Bull, as the team prepares for a potential split after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite contributing significantly to the team's successes, Perez's performance this season has been underwhelming, leading to speculation about his replacement, with Liam Lawson currently favored as a candidate.
During the recent Qatar GP, Yuki Tsunoda humorously misheard his engineer about a "beaver" on the track, later realizing it referred to a fallen wing mirror, which he felt should have prompted a quicker safety response. Tsunoda finished 13th, leaving the “Racing Bull” team needing a significant turnaround in Abu Dhabi to secure sixth place in the constructors' standings, as they trail Alpine by 13 points.
Max Verstappen attributed Lando Norris's 10-second stop-go penalty during the Qatar Grand Prix to his own communication with the Red Bull team regarding Norris's failure to slow under double-waved yellow flags. The FIA confirmed that the penalty was consistent with their guidelines, emphasizing the seriousness of such infractions for safety, which ultimately impacted McLaren's standings in the constructors' championship against Ferrari.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur expressed no concerns about Lewis Hamilton's current struggles with Mercedes, citing his strong performance in Las Vegas as evidence of his enduring talent. As Hamilton prepares for his final race with Mercedes in Abu Dhabi, team principal Toto Wolff reflected on their successful partnership, emphasizing that the challenges of the current season will not overshadow their past achievements.
Max Verstappen expressed confidence in Lewis Hamilton's enduring racing abilities, stating that he believes Hamilton will "never lose" his speed despite the British driver's recent self-criticism about his pace in F1. As Hamilton prepares to leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025, Verstappen noted that the success of this new chapter will largely depend on the performance of the car provided by Scuderia Ferrari.
The FIA's decision to leave debris from Alex Albon's discarded mirror on the track during the Qatar Grand Prix was based on the expectation that drivers would avoid it, but this led to incidents where Valtteri Bottas and others sustained punctures, ultimately resulting in a safety car deployment. The FIA has stated it will review its processes following this event, but the justification for not neutralizing the race earlier has raised questions about race management and safety protocols.
After receiving a 10-second penalty for failing to slow under waved yellow flags, Lando Norris fell from second to tenth place at the Qatar Grand Prix, prompting McLaren to call for a review of the FIA's decision-making process. The incident has sparked criticism within the sport regarding the severity of penalties and the handling of track safety issues, particularly concerning debris left on the circuit.
Red Bull Racing has announced a partnership with Lego to create a Lego Technics model of their RB20 race car, which will be available for pre-order and released on March 1, 2025. The model will be 55 cm long and include features such as a two-speed gearbox, a V6 engine with moving pistons, and a spinning MGU-H unit.
CURIOSITIES
The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series, owned by YouTuber Zack Nelson and plated in 24-karat gold, is currently up for auction with all proceeds benefiting the Not A Wheelchair Foundation. Despite its unique gold finish and celebrity endorsements, the truck has some imperfections and is estimated to be valued at around $200,000.
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco drove the hydrogen-powered race car Pioneer 25 through the streets of Monaco to promote its upcoming participation in the world's first hydrogen-powered race competition next year, coinciding with the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance Forum. The event highlighted the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable energy solution, with Prince Albert emphasizing its role in reducing emissions and inspiring innovation in motorsport.
Markus Fritsche, a former security guard for Michael Schumacher's family, is on trial for allegedly stealing 1,500 photographs and 200 videos from their home and attempting to extort €15 million for their return. The stolen media reportedly includes sensitive images of Schumacher following his serious skiing accident in 2013, and Fritsche's plan involved threats to release the material on the dark web if the family did not comply.
Jay Leno's Chrysler Turbine car, which suffered an engine meltdown six years ago, has been successfully rebuilt and hit the streets again as part of the Woodward Dream Cruise. The restoration involved collaboration with original engineers and utilized modern techniques like metal 3D printing, allowing the preservation of much of the car's original design while incorporating advanced technology.
An Audi A8 owner in China successfully had their complex W12 engine rebuilt for $10,000 after experiencing oil consumption issues at 68,000 miles. The rebuild process, showcased in a YouTube video by Mechanic Diary, emphasizes the intricate work required to restore the engine to factory specifications, illustrating the difficulties of owning such a powertrain.
The Superior Coach Company, primarily known for its hearses, also produced motorhomes by modifying funeral vehicles, a fact that has largely been forgotten even by the brand itself. Despite the company's ongoing existence, little documentation remains about its RV division, and current representatives have limited knowledge about their past in motorhome manufacturing, leaving many questions about these unique vehicles unanswered.
Although Ultima Sports Ltd, a low volume manufacturer of kit and turnkey track cars, has no plans to offer electric vehicles, it did once back a project to install an electric powertrain in its Ultima RS. This “RSE” model, produced by an Ultima specialist, features a Tesla 'Large Drive Unit' that produces 680hp, giving the 988kg car an improved 0 to 60mph time of 2.1 seconds, and is now available to buy via a private listing.
Boreham Motorworks, a division of DRVN, is set to unveil a new derivative of the Mk1 Escort, emphasizing Ford's heritage and performance, while confirming it will feature a petrol engine and manual transmission. Although details are limited to a teaser image, the project draws inspiration from various fast road Mk1 models and aims to deliver an engaging driving experience reminiscent of classic rally cars.
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