Category: Lifestyle

Carscoops 

VW is recalling 2023 ID.4 models in the United States because of an issue with the 12V battery charging cable.

A recall notice reveals that the 12V battery charging cable could come in contact with the steering column shaft, causing the cable insulation to wear through. If this is to happen, a short circuit could be triggered, leading to a loss of power while driving, obviously increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, a short circuit increases the risk of a vehicle fire, although VW notes that because it is a low-voltage cable, there is no risk of a high-voltage electric shock to occupants or service technicians working on impacted vehicles.

VW also notes that there is a risk that the steering system could also be damaged if an electrical current passes through it.

Read: A Leaky Motor On Certain 2023 VW ID.4s Could Result In The Airbags Going Off

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that the bend in the affected part was not made to production specifications. Owners of vehicles impacted by the issue will notice warning messages identifying low 12V battery charge. They may also notice a burning smell, smoke, sparks, or a fire near the left front of the vehicle. VW is advising owners to park their vehicles away from buildings and other structures due to this fire risk.

Impacted ID.4 models were manufactured between October 18, 2022 and December 15, 2022, totaling 1,042 units.

The automaker will notify dealers and owners of the recall on or before February 27. Owners will be told to take their vehicle to a dealer where the 12V battery charging cable will be inspected and repaired or replaced if necessary.

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Carscoops 

A decade on from the introduction of its i-Cockpit dashboard, Peugeot is preparing to make another leap in the way drivers interact with its cars. CEO Linda Jackson says the Hypersquare steering wheel seen on the Inception Concept unveiled at CES this week will be fitted to a Peugeot road car by 2026.

One of the most eye-catching features of the Inception is a rectangular steering wheel containing four circular controllers that are used to operate major functions on the car. Steer-by-wire technology allows the concept’s steering wheel to fold away when its Level 4 autonomous function is engaged, and although Peugeot’s production wheels will remain firmly in place three years from now, both the steering wheel design and the steer-by-wire tech are ready to make the leap to the showroom.

As Lexus does with the RX, Peugeot will use steer-by-wire to drastically reduce the number of steering turns between lockstops, meaning drivers never have to taken their hands off the rim and cross them over when making sharp turns. Ironically, given the technology removes a solid mechanical link to the front wheels, Peugeot claims the technology helps driver’s feel “more connected” to the car.

Related: Peugeot Inception Concept Is A 671-HP EV With Video Game Steering

The bold design is bound to prove polarizing, but Peugeot is no stranger to making controversial design changes to its interiors and driver controls. The firm’s i-Cockpits have dispensed with conventional large steering wheels and dashboard displays viewed through the wheel for a small steering wheel mounted low down in the driver’s lap that requires him to peer over the rim to look at the high-set gauge cluster.

There were plenty of complaints when the design launched on the 208 in 2012, but it appears to have been a hit with drivers, and similar setups are now also used on cars like the Toyota bZ4X. Asked if he’s convinced Peugeot owners want another radical reinvention of their steering controls, a senior company engineer replied that it was already trialing the technology with customers and the feedback has been very promising. He added that the production steering wheel would be fully compatible with an airbag.

CEO Jackson was also quick to warn that we shouldn’t take Peugeot’s decision to launch in CES in Las Vegas as a hint that it’s ready to U-turn on its 2021 decision to abandon a planned brand re-launch in North America. Peugeot hasn’t been present in the U.S. since the early 1990s, and a planned return was axed so that Stellantis could focus on Alfa Romeo’s expansion in the U.S. and Canada.

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Carscoops 

Arguably the greatest motorcycle racer ever, Valentino Rossi, has joined BMW M as a works driver and will race in the GT World Challenge Europe and at the famed Bathurst 12 Hour.

The nine-time motorcycle world champion competed in the 2022 iteration of the GT World Challenge Europe series with Team WRT in an Audi R8 LMS. He will race a BMW M4 GT3 in this year’s championship.

“I am very proud to become an official BMW M works driver and it is a great opportunity,” Rossi said. “Last year I started racing seriously in cars and I finished my first season with the WRT team with whom I got on very well and I am very happy that the WRT team chose BMW M Motorsport as a new partner. I have already had a chance to test the BMW M4 GT3 twice and the feeling with the car is very good. I think we could be competitive next season.”

Watch: Valentino Rossi Is A Real Talent Behind The Wheel Too

Rossi will race alongside teammates Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus. The German automaker says that he will be able to make further race and test appearances in various BMW M Motorsport racing cars throughout the year.

“Valentino Rossi needs no introduction. As one of the most successful motorcycle riders of all time, he has made history,” head of BMW M Motorsport Andreas Roos added. “His successes on the racetrack and his personality have quite rightly made him a living legend. But Valentino has proved that he is also an excellent racer on four wheels. He has shown that car racing has become his second motorsport home, and he brings all his passion, skills and commitment to this new chapter of his career. It’s fantastic that Valentino will be joining our BMW M Motorsport family as a new works driver next year. We’re really looking forward to working together – welcome aboard Vale!”

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Carscoops 

In the latest case of Canadians heading south for the winter, the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) of Canada has unveiled Project Arrow at CES.

Billed as an all-Canadian effort and the country’s first zero-emissions concept, Project Arrow has been years in the making and is designed to promote Canada’s automotive industry as well as Prime Minister Trudeau’s call for a zero-emissions future by 2050.

While APMA has been strangely quiet about the unveiling, the concept’s design was created by a team of four students from Carleton University’s School of Industrial Design.  They beat out 20 other entries from across Canada in 2020 and APMA has spent the past few years turning their creation into reality.

Also: Project Arrow, The All-Canadian EV, Remains On Track For CES Unveiling

As you can see, it’s a sleek and somewhat boxy crossover that features a stepped front fascia with slender lighting units as well as a partially blocked off grille.  They’re joined by a rakish windscreen, a contrasting black roof, and heavily stylized doors.  We can also see aerodynamically optimized wheels and a rear light bar.

The futuristic design continues in the cabin which sports a digital instrument cluster, a front passenger display, and screens for digital side mirrors.  Opening up the suicide rear doors reveals two individual seats that are separated by a prominent console.

While APMA hasn’t released a press release yet, The National Post was given an early preview and they’re reporting the concept features a solar roof as well as an electric powertrain that is estimated to produce 550 hp (410 kW / 558 PS) and deliver a range of approximately 311 miles (500 km).

The concept was built with the assistance of $6.8 million CAD ($5 million USD) in government funding, and is said to use technology and components from 58 different companies.  Unfortunately for them and taxpayers, APMA dropped the ball on promoting it.

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Carscoops 

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with all the latest arrivals in the electric pickup segment

Ram has finally unveiled the first details about its upcoming all-electric, full-size pickup truck with the Ram 1500 Revolution concept, so we can finally compare it to the competition. Set to go into production in 2024, it won’t hit the road until much later than its cross-town rival, the Ford F-150 Lightning, and even the Chevrolet Silverado EV. Today we’re asking, will it be worth the wait?

The last of the Detroit three to throw its hat in the electric pickup ring, the Ram 1500 Revolution has a lot of work to do to make up for its late arrival. The automaker promises, though, that its pickup will be a leader in the “areas customer care about the most: range, towing, payload, and charge time.”

Those qualities should help it compete against not just its cross-town rivals but the new school of all-electric startups like Rivian, Tesla, and Lordstown, all of which want a slice of the apparently quite popular electric pickup pie.

Ram 1500 Revolution

RAM 1500 REVOLUTION SPECS
› 0-60mph N/A
› Estimated 500 miles or range
› Can recover additional 100 miles of range in 10 minutes
› Adjustable air suspension
› Price: Anticipated to start at around $55,000
› Towing Capacity: >10,000 lbs

To start with, let’s look at the new Ram’s stats. Because the vehicle the brand unveiled today is still just a concept that’s set to go into production in more than a year, a variety of details remain unknown. These include the price, how quick it will be, how much power it will put out, and more. We do know, however, that the STLA platform on which it will be based is being designed to deliver more than 500 miles (805 km) of all-electric range, which exceeds that of most of the competition, as you’ll see below.

Read: 2024 Ram 1500 BEV Previewed By Revolution Concept At CES

Ram promises that it will be able to recover 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes at a 350 kW fast-charging station. And, although it hasn’t revealed any towing figures yet, it has said that it will “lead the competition,” which suggests that it will be able to trailer more than the 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) that the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 Lightning can manage, and may even beat the Tesla Cybertruck’s 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg), though it’s unclear if the stainless steel special will even be on roads by 2024. High-tech features like a removable center touchscreen and a movie projector, meanwhile, could help the Ram appeal to more than just contractors.

Prices for the production electric Ram 1500 have not yet been revealed, but it is expected that the automaker will try to keep them in-line with competition like the Ford F-150 Lightning, which now starts at $56,000.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV

CHEVROLET SILVERADO EV SPECS
› 0-60mph 4.5 seconds
› Up to 400 miles of range (manufacturer est.)
› Up to 100 miles of range added in 10 minutes of charging
› Independent front and rear suspension
› Price: $39,900 base/$105,000 RST First Edition (before tax credits)
› Towing Capacity: 10,000 lbs
› Payload: 1,300 lbs

Based on GM’s Ultium platform, the Silverado EV is capable of making up to 754 HP (562 kW / 764 PS) and 785 lb-ft which should help it get to 60 mph (96 km/h) in as fast as 4.5 seconds. The truck will also be capable of going up to 400 miles (644 km) on a single charge. Standard DC fast charging, meanwhile, should help it get back to work in a hurry.

Read: 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV Debuts With 664 HP, 400-Mile Range, And The Avalanche’s Midgate

It will be capable of trailering up to 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) and can handle up to 1,300 lbs (590 kg) of payload, says Chevy. The Silverado EV will get a work truck variant that, like the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Tesla Cybertruck, was expected to start at around $39,000 when it was announced in early 2022. That price is likely to change before it hit showrooms in fall 2023. Although the Silverado lags behind Ford’s electric pickup, it will have been on the market for a while before the Ram is ready for sale.

2024 GMC Sierra EV

GMC SIERRA EV SPECS
› 0-60mph <4.5 seconds
› Driving range of up to 400 miles
› Recharges up to 100 miles in 10 mins (DC fast charge)
› Price: from $50,000 (Estimate from October 2022)
› Towing Capacity: up to 9,500 lbs
› Payload: 1,300 lbs

The all-electric version of the GMC Sierra will arrive shortly after the Chevrolet Silverado, in early 2024. The pickup will focus more on a premium experience than it will on capital T truck stuff compared to its competition.

That means a relatively low towing capacity of just 9,500 lbs (4,309 kg) and a payload capacity of 1,300 lbs (590 kg). Available with up to 754 hp (562 kW / 764 PS) and 785 lb-ft (1,063 Nm) of torque in Max Power mode, though, it should be able to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 4.5 seconds.

With a range of 400 miles (644 km) and DC fast-charging technology, it will be able to regain as many as 100 miles (161 km) of range in just 10 minutes. Thanks to a bidirectional charging system, the truck will also be able to power a home’s essential necessities for up to 21 days, the automaker promises.

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning

FORD F-150 LIGHTNING SPECS
› 0-60mph 4.4 seconds (says Joe Biden)
› 230 miles std range, 300 extended range (EPA est.)
› 41 min to charge to 80 percent
› Independent rear suspension, 14.1-cu ft frunk
› Price: Starting at $56,000
› Towing Capacity: 10,000 lbs (extended range)
› Payload: 2,000 lbs

Ford now looks like an early adopter (though it was beaten to the punch by Rivian), but that quick start also means that the F-150 Lightning is slightly behind its Detroit rivals in terms of power. Rated at 563 hp (571 PS/420 kW), and 775 lb-ft (1,051 Nm) of torque, its motors struggle to keep up with the Chevy’s and the GMC’s, which are rated at up to 780 lb-ft (1,058 Nm) and 785 lb-ft (1,063 Nm) of torque, respectively.

Read Also: Who Got It Right, Ford’s Straight-Laced F-150 Lightning Or Tesla’s Cocky Cybertruck?

Despite that, Ford claims that its truck is able to trailer just as much as the Silverado and has a larger payload, which is set at 2,000 lbs (907 kg). Its range, however, tops out at 300 miles, leaving it at something of a disadvantage compared to the competition, especially for those looking to “go further.”

2023 Rivian R1T

RIVIAN R1T SPECS
› 0-60mph 3.2 seconds
› Driving range between 230-400 miles
› Recharges up to 140 miles in 20 mins (DC fast charge)
› Price: from $73,000
› Towing Capacity: up to 11,000 lbs
› Payload: 1,760 lbs

Rivian’s R1T was called a game-changer when it was unveiled, but its $73,000 starting price tag is considerably higher than the competition—though Ford’s prices keep creeping up closer to it. That said, the company is mostly focused on customer trucks, not bare bones work trucks, making the price a little easier to understand.

Despite being the first pickup to the electric party, its stats are still up-to-date. It’s no slouch, with motors that make up to 800 hp (811 PS/596 kW) and 900 lb-ft (1,220 Nm) of torque, and it can to tow up to 11,000 lbs (4,990 kg). Its payload rating, however, is lower than the Ford’s at 1,760 lbs (798 kg).

With a wide variety of lifestyle tricks and an interior designed for comfort, it may appeal to the weekend warriors who are really in the market for a premium pickup. Whether the company can leave a tough 2022 behind it and shine in 2023, though, remains to be seen.

2024 Tesla Cybertruck

TESLA CYBERTRUCK SPECS
› 0-60mph 6.5-2.9 seconds (single motor/tri-motor)
› Range 250-500 miles (single motor/tri-motor, EPA est)
› 44 min to charge to 80 per cent (est)
› Armor glass, 100-cu ft lockable bed with ‘magic’ tonneau
› Price: from $39,900 (claimed)
› Towing Capacity: 7500 lbs std, 14,000 lbs opt

For those who like a gamble, there’s the Tesla Cybertruck. Although it was announced and previewed in 2019, the production version of the vehicle has yet to be unveiled in final production form. The company is still making announcements about the truck, though, including that it will use the same megawatt charging technology as the company’s newly released Semi truck.

With a range between 250 to 500 miles (402-805 km), it should be right up there with the Ram 1500 EV as the longest-distance pickup on sale when it arrives. With up to 690 hp (699 PS/514 kW) and 824 lb-ft (1,117 Nm) of torque, it won’t be the most powerful, but Tesla promises that it will be able to tow up to 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg) and will have 3,350 lbs (1,520 kg) of payload capacity. Despite its outlandish appearance, Tesla has already taken more than 250,000 pre-orders for the futuristic truck.

2023 Lordstown Endurance

LORDSTOWN ENDURANCE SPECS
› 0-60mph 6.3 seconds
› Driving range between 200 miles
› Charges from 20 to 80% in 45 minutes
› Price: from $45,000
› Towing Capacity: up to 8,000 lbs
› Payload: 1,050 lbs

And, finally, there’s the underdog Lordstown Endurance. Made by a company that has known no shortage of troubles, the truck’s makers have long believed in its in-hub motor technology to reduce the number of moving parts and give it true all-wheel-drive.

Unfortunately, despite the comeback story (the company has finally started delivering trucks to customers), and its neat technology, the truck’s specs are a little disappointing when compared to the competition. It has about half as much range as many upcoming trucks, less towing capacity, and is slower than the rest, despite making 550 hp (410 kW/558 PS) at peak output.

Although the company’s earning in 2022 were pretty bleak, thanks to materials costs that affected the rest of the industry, too, it did manage to deliver a few trucks in 2022, which puts it ahead of a lot of the trucks above.

So what do you think? Which of the upcoming crop of all-electric pickups will win out, and which will struggle for sales?

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Carscoops 

BMW has been talking about the Neue Klasse for what seems like an eternity, but we’re starting to see a tangible glimpse into the future as the company has released a teaser image showing a full-width display.

The automaker confusingly calls it a head-up display, but it’s not one in the traditional sense.  Instead of projecting an image onto the windshield, the teaser shows a short and apparently curved display that sits on top of the dashboard.

BMW didn’t say much about it, but it appears to be one continuous screen rather than several screens mashed together.  This gives it an upscale and high-tech appearance, and we can see the screen will be broken up into multiple sections.

Also: BMW i Vision Dee Hints At Radical Redesign For Next Electric 3-Series

There’s a relatively basic instrument cluster in front of the driver and it shows a speedometer as well as the current transmission setting.  To the right is a minimalist infotainment display as well as a clock.

That isn’t much to go on, but BMW Chairman Oliver Zipse said “We bring this innovation into the Neue Klasse. As early as 2025 – the year after next – our customers will be able to experience this completely new technology in their vehicles.”

The teaser comes hot on the heels of the unveiling of the i Vision Dee concept, which featured a more futuristic head-up display that projected images across the width of the windscreen.  While the production version isn’t as high-tech, it’s possible the production unit will feature some of the adjustability seen on the concept.

While a number of questions remain, the dash gives off New Class vibes and BMW will provide “further insights and glimpses” into the upcoming Neue Klasse later this year. That being said, Neue Klasse models will arrive in two years and BMW has previously said they’ll usher in a new era of e-mobility as the architecture will use sixth-generation lithium-ion battery cells that promise to increase energy density by more than 20 percent, improve charging speeds by up to 30 percent, and enhance range by up to 30 percent.

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Carscoops 

We happen to think that the Jeep Gladiator is one of the more dramatic and outlandish pickup trucks to look at but for as wild as it is in standard guise, Apocalypse 6×6 has made it even more in-your-face.

The U.S. company has been transforming the Jeep Gladiator for quite a few years now, transforming it into a 6×6 with three axles, all of which are powered. This particular example is currently available at Mecum’s ongoing Kissimmee sales event.

In transforming the Gladiator into a 6×6 akin to the famed Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6×6, Apocalypse 6×6 has extended the bed to now sit at a massive 8 feet long. It has also fitted the pickup truck with a custom roll cage and even though significant changes have been made to the bodywork, the removable roof and doors of any other Gladiator have been retained.

Watch: Jay Leno Preps For Doomsday With Apocalypse Hellfire 6×6

Among the most striking changes made to the exterior of the Jeep include the three-part Kevlar protective coating, ¼-inch thick steel front bumper and 9,500 lb (4,309 kg) winch, aftermarket LED headlights with color-changing halo rings, a fiber molded hood, and a prominent LED light bar. The Jeep also benefits from door-activated power running boards and a steel rear bumper with a tow hitch. An advanced active suspension promises to improve the Gladiator’s off-roading potential.

The modifications continue into the cabin and include an upgraded audio system with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay, as well as marine-grade hand-stitched leather.

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Well+Good 

Once enough time passes from a popular thing’s heyday—be it an object of clothing, a food, an activity—it begins a curious transformation. What was outdated becomes retro, passé gives way to vintage, and straight-up old is, for all intents and purposes, new and cool again. (Just take the present surge in ’90s fashion trends and the reinvention of early-aughts packaged foods as evidence.) But based on the psychology of nostalgia and the therapeutic practice of inner-child work, partaking in the fun and games of your youth isn’t just currently on trend for millennials; this brand of pastime, called “kidulting,” can also help you evoke the carefree vibes of yesteryear and boost your creativity and mood as a result.

“In practice, kidulting is a natural, simple return to known, feel-good childhood activities,” says clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, author of Joy From Fear. “The familiarity of the activity is often the perfect backdrop for unwinding.”

Though the idea of “kidulting” and the noun “kidult” (to describe an adult who engages in, yes, kid-like activities) have been around for some time now, the practice surged in popularity during the early months of the pandemic. A 2021 Toy Association survey of about 2,000 parents who purchased toys found that 58 percent of them had bought the toys for themselves. And according to data tracker NPD Group, kidults, in general (aka anyone over the age of 12 buying toys for themselves), helped toy sales grow 37 percent over the first two pandemic years.

Presumably, the mixture of boredom and restrictive stay-at-home orders led folks down a leisure rabbit hole that took them straight to the activities of their youth, whether by building houses of Lego structures, role-playing with action figures, or gliding down neighborhood streets on scooters. While the need to pass time in such a way might be gone, people’s desire to do so doesn’t seem to be fading. Experts posit that’s because kidulting delivers a welcome dose of joyful play and heartwarming nostalgia, ideal for lifting us out of any doldrums, pandemic or otherwise.

3 ways the playful nostalgia of kidulting can benefit your mental health

1. It evokes nostalgia that feels positive and reassuring

In our memories, childhood play experiences, like riding bicycles, playing with trucks, skipping rocks, or dressing up “are often carried into adulthood as the epitome of freedom, fun, and joy,” says Dr. Manly. And when you look back upon them, those same warm and fuzzy feelings can resurface, taking the place (for the time being) of the more pressing feelings of stress triggered by the responsibilities of adult life. “Kidulting gives us the opportunity to return, if only for a few moments or hours, to simpler times that brought us joy,” says Dr. Manly.

“Kidulting gives us the opportunity to return, if only for a few moments or hours, to simpler times that brought us joy.” —Carla Marie Manly, PhD, clinical psychologist

Research has shown that thinking back on a certain part of a memory—say, the scooter you rode as a child—can activate parts of the brain tied to an entire event. Using the scooter example, maybe you would ride your scooter with your best friends, racing them down the block, and then eating a delicious snack afterward, and just seeing the scooter conjures that whole memory.

Assuming that the activities involved in your kidulting are positive triggers (as it is possible for the cues to have a negative effect), the experience can lead to joyful nostalgia, reviving those detailed episodes of good memories. “Even if there were difficult moments in your childhood, perhaps even trauma or neglect, remembering the glimmers of happiness can spark hope in you as an adult,” says clinical psychologist Trish Phillips, PsyD.

That hopeful feeling tends to come along with a hefty dose of social connectedness and belonging, too. “Nostalgic memories remind us of those we love and who have loved us, which strengthens our sense that we are not in this alone,” psychologist Krystine I. Batcho, PhD, previously told Well+Good. It’s for that reason that kidulting alongside friends, and experiencing nostalgia together, can be such a comforting bonding experience in the present, as well.

2. It may help you heal your inner child

If you experienced hurtful or neglectful behaviors as a child, you might struggle in adulthood with managing your emotions or maintaining healthy relationships—which is where inner child work comes into play. This therapeutic practice asks you to nurture the parts of yourself that you may have lost or repressed as a result of being hurt and then to reconnect with who you were before. Because the carefree play of kidulting can return you to a positive, self-expressive moment in your childhood, it can also serve as a part of inner-child healing.

“In therapy, we seek to become curious about the inner child, and one way we start the process is by remembering what we loved as a child,” says Dr. Phillips. “What did we like doing, watching on TV, or listening to? Where were our favorite foods? Who were we most comfortable with? Did we have a favorite toy or book? With kidulting, we’re bringing some of these items back into our lives, and allowing the positive feelings to re-emerge,” she says.

Kidulting can be especially effective because it can directly activate one of the five senses. Doing a physical activity from your childhood, like kickball, ice-skating, or splashing around in a pool; eating a type of candy you used to love; visiting a zoo or carnival in your hometown with a particular scent; or walking into an amusement park you used to go to every year on summer break can “let the child within you take center stage, and help you remember the magic of childhood moments,” says Dr. Phillips.

If your childhood had fewer of these highlights, the feelings that surface may be painful, reflecting the parts of your inner child that are “underdeveloped, traumatized, or neglected in some way,” says Dr. Manly. Perhaps you weren’t able to play freely in childhood due to chaos or violence in your home, and engaging in childlike activities now just resurfaces that memory, she says. In that case, mindful kidulting—consciously leaning into the activities you wish you could’ve done as a kid—can, over time, bring new joy, calm, and healing, she says.

3. It offers the creative release of carefree play

It isn’t often we do things just for the fun of it, and kidulting is literally the fun and games of your youth. In turn, it offers a unique opportunity for getting playful, which offers serious benefits. Scientists who’ve studied the trait of playfulness in adults (broken into five facets: spontaneous, expressive, creative, fun, and silly) have found that it’s associated with positive psychological functioning. Other studies have also found that playful people have lower stress levels and higher life satisfaction.

“Adding play increases spontaneity, releases feel-good hormones inside of us, and even helps us to think more clearly.” —Trish Phillips, PsyD, clinical psychologist

“Playing at any age is helpful to keep us from becoming too stuck in our ways,” says Dr. Phillips. “Adding play increases spontaneity, releases feel-good hormones inside of us, and even helps us to think more clearly.”

That’s right: By letting go of your typical logic- or task-oriented focus and embracing the freeform vibe inherent in many childhood activities, you’re likely allowing your mind to wander—which has been shown to help you become more creative in your thinking. “It’s often when we’re not looking for a solution to our problems, such as when we’re playing or creating, that an answer appears seemingly out of nowhere,” says Dr. Phillips.

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Carscoops 

VinFast has used CES to release additional information about the upcoming VF 6 and VF 7.

Both models are slated to be launched later this year and the VF 6 is a tiny crossover that measures 166.9 inches (4,239 mm) long, 71.7 inches (1,821 mm) wide, and 62.8 inches (1,595 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 107.5 inches (2,730 mm).  To put those numbers into perspective, the model is slightly shorter than the outgoing Chevrolet Trax, but has a 6.9 inch (175 mm) longer wheelbase.

Putting dimensions aside, the entry-level VF 6 Eco features a 59.6 kWh battery that powers a front-mounted electric motor developing 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque.  VinFast expects this will enable the crossover to have a WLTP range of 399 km (248 miles).

Also: VinFast Showcases The VF 6 And VF 7 At LA Auto Show

Customers looking for more performance can opt for the VF 6 Plus, which features the aforementioned battery as well as a more powerful motor with 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 228 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque.  While the extra power is welcome, the performance comes at a cost as the WLTP range is expected to drop to 381 km (237 miles).

In terms of equipment, the VF 6 Eco will have 17-inch wheels while the Plus will ride on larger 19-inchers.  Both models will also have a 12.9-inch infotainment system as well as driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, highway driving assist, and emergency lane keep assist.

VF 7 Offers More Power, Range And Available AWD

The VF 7 is a significant step up in terms of size and performance. It measures 178.9 inches (4,544 mm) long and has a 111.8 inch (2,840 mm) wheelbase, which makes it 1.7 inches longer than the latest BMW X1. While it’s not that much larger than the German, the VF 7 has an extra 5.8 inches (147 mm) between the wheels.

The entry-level Eco variant features a 75.3 kWh battery and it’s paired with a front-mounted electric motor developing 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 228 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque. VinFast is targeting a WLTP range of 450 km (280 miles) with this setup.

The VF 7 Plus uses the same battery pack, but it powers a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 348 hp (260 kW / 353 PS) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque.  The extra oomph is expected to drop the range to 431 km (268 miles).

Much of the equipment carries over from the VF 6, but the VF 7 Eco rides on larger 19-inch wheels.  The VF 7 Plus trades those for 20-inchers and the range-topping variant also eschews the 12.9-inch infotainment system for a larger 15-inch display.

VinFast is keeping pricing under wraps, but the company will begin accepting reservations for the VF 6 and VF 7 in March.

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Carscoops 

Despite abandoning plans to re-launch the brand in North America, Peugeot chose CES in Las Vegas to reveal a concept car that hints how its next generation of electric sedans and SUVs will look starting in 2025.

The Inception takes the form of a futuristic four-seat sedan that rides on the new Stellantis STLA Large EV platform. Visually, there’s a clear connection to the 2018 e-Legend concept, but this time the overt retro references to past Peugeots are mostly stripped away to create something more forward looking.

Not that it’s totally devoid of classic and current Peugeot design cues. The hood line that sweeps up and back over the headlights tips a hat to the brand’s cars of the 1970s and early 1980s, but this time those lights are LEDs and the grille connecting them is a huge glass panel. The wheels are similar to the rims fitted to the new 408 sedan, though now feature horizon-levelling illuminated Lion emblems, and the rear panel – digital, again, like the one at the front – features the same cat’s claw light motif familiar to current Peugeot owners.

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But the most striking exterior element is the huge windshield that plunges down from the roof panel towards the nose and right through the space where the hood would be in a conventional sedan. Riffing on the design of the company’s 1988 Oxia supercar, it cleverly blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior design, putting the focus on the cabin volume when viewed from above, yet when seen in profile, the Inception looks like a typically sporty coupe or sedan.

We’ll have to wait to see if the crazy glazing and the Tech Bar in the door that displays messages to the approaching driver make it to production, but Peugeot is adamant that the concept’s blend of athletic curves, crisper lines and square shoulders that step out beyond the side windows will be present on future cars.

The Inception’s whacky interior features however, are still some way off from being showroom-ready. Conceived as a replacement for Peugeot’s influential i-Cockpit interior, its focal point is the Hypersquare, a rectangular steering wheel inspired by video games controllers that combines a center-mounted tablet and four thumb-operated control rings, and which Peugeot promises will be fitted to a real car by the end of this decade.

The wheel is connected to the front axle via steer-by-wire tech and can fold away into the dashboard when the car’s Level 4 autonomous function is activated, while the instrument panel behind it is an unusual circular screen Peugeot calls the Halo Cluster. And that’s pretty much your lot as far as a dashboard is concerned, though metallic-look velvet upholstery covering seats that adapt to fit the shape of the driver and passengers should mean it still feels welcoming and suitably luxurious.

As for what’s under the skin, well, it’s a concept car, so it’s probably powered by the motor from a leaf blower, but Peugeot says its theoretical bi-motor, all-wheel drive setup can deliver up to 671 hp (680 PS) and send the 197-in (5 m) sedan to 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 3 seconds. Induction charging removes the need for cables, but hooked up to a suitably fast charger the 800-volt architecture can add 19 miles (30 km) of range in 5 minutes should you exhaust the 500-mile (800 km) range provided by the 100 kWh battery.

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