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The U.S. Navy and Royal Navy jointly fired an exercise Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo from the uncrewed submarine XV Excalibur on September 13 at Scotland's BUTEC test range. The trial, conducted under the AUKUS Pillar 2 partnership and dubbed Project Broadsword, confirmed that an American torpedo could be mechanically, electrically and digitally integrated into a British autonomous underwater vehicle.
Bentley has revealed the Torcal, its first all-electric model and fourth current model line, built on the Porsche Cayenne Electric's 800-volt PPE platform. The SUV comes in Core and S trims, both using a 113.2 kWh battery rated for up to 375 miles WLTP range (about 320 miles EPA) and 400 kW fast charging. The S trim produces 888 PS and 996 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 162 mph, while the Core does 0-60 in 3.3 seconds.
Toyota is developing a next-generation Corolla built on a modified version of its TNGA-C platform that will support multiple powertrains, including a fully electric option, alongside gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. The redesign was previewed as a concept at last year's Japan Mobility Show and includes new sedan, hatchback, crossover and GR body styles.
Toyota is said to be developing a battery-electric version of the Corolla, its best-selling nameplate globally, according to a recent report. This would mark the first time the long-running compact car lineup has offered a fully electric option alongside its existing gas and hybrid variants.
Volkswagen is integrating AirConsole, a gaming platform developed by N-Dream, into infotainment screens on 2027 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan, Golf GTI, Golf R and ID vehicles. The 20-title lineup includes Tetris, Pac-Man Championship Edition and Uno Car Party, with phones serving as wireless controllers and gameplay restricted to when the car is parked.
Ford has brought back roughly 350 experienced engineers, including former employees, to catch defects that its automated quality systems and AI-based inspection tools were missing. A company vice president acknowledged that Ford had wrongly assumed feeding design requirements into AI would be sufficient to ensure vehicle quality.
At the first International Space Summit in Paris on September 10, European leaders including Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron called for the continent to build its own launch and crewed spaceflight capacity rather than relying on NASA and firms like SpaceX. The event took on added significance after reports that the White House discouraged US companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin from attending, which one former satellite executive called a wake-up call.
Ars Technica revisited the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5, testing an AWD Limited trim with an 84 kWh battery, NACS charging port, and 320 hp output following the car's early 2025 refresh. The reviewer found the retro styling and fast-charging capability still hold up well five years after launch, though the AWD version's range drops to 269 miles compared to 318 miles for the rear-wheel-drive model.
Tesla's driverless Cybercab, now operating as part of its Robotaxi service, lacks a steering wheel and brake pedals, letting occupants recline their seats. Tesla's own rider guide warns passengers to keep seat backs within 35 degrees of vertical and feet flat on the floor to reduce injury risk in a crash, while safety researchers note that reclined seating already correlates with worse crash outcomes in conventional vehicles.
Electric vehicle owners can charge at home either through a standard household outlet or by installing a faster Level 2 charger. The choice depends on factors like battery size, the car's maximum AC charging speed, and daily driving distance, rather than a need to always charge to full like a phone. Home charging remains far cheaper than gasoline, roughly a third of the cost, even before factoring in a Level 2 upgrade.
Kia debuted its PV7 electric van at IAA Transportation in Germany, the second model in its Platform Beyond Vehicle lineup after the PV5. The PV7 is roughly two feet longer than its predecessor and comes in passenger and cargo configurations, built on Kia's dedicated E-GMP.S architecture with an 800-volt system for fast charging.
Uber has updated its senior accounts feature to let older riders manage their own accounts without needing a linked family member, an option that was previously required. The update also introduces a new settings page letting seniors customize arrival signals, enable a simplified interface, and flag mobility aids like canes or walkers to drivers. Separately, Uber is piloting an 'Easy Entry Vehicle' option in nine unnamed markets for riders who need cars without a high step to enter.