All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Mercedes-AMG One Recalled Over Fire Risk Affecting 219 Hypercars

Unveiled to great fanfare at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mercedes-AMG One was a marvel of engineering—a Formula 1-derived powerhouse destined for the road. But the path from concept to customer was anything but straightforward. It took AMG five years to tame Lewis Hamilton’s 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 hybrid engine for street use, a feat requiring immense technical adaptation.

Now, long after the hype of its delayed launch, the $2.7 million hypercar finds itself in the spotlight for a less celebratory reason: a mass recall.

Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt or KBA) has issued a recall affecting 219 units of the AMG One due to a potential fire risk. Surprisingly, the issue is not related to the complex hybrid powertrain but instead to a seemingly minor yet critical component—the active rear spoiler.

According to the KBA, a hydraulic pipe in the spoiler mechanism may lack a protective fuse. In rare cases, this could allow hydraulic fluid to leak and ignite upon contact with nearby hot components, posing a serious fire hazard. Owners are being urged to bring their cars in for inspection, with repairs estimated to take around 90 minutes.

With only 275 AMG Ones ever produced, the recall affects nearly 80% of the total production run—an unusually high proportion for such a limited-edition vehicle. Most of the affected cars are located in Germany, where 183 owners will need to schedule service appointments. The vehicles in question were built between December 12, 2022, and May 9, 2025, at AMG’s bespoke production facility in Coventry, UK, in partnership with Canadian engineering firm Multimatic.

Notably, the KBA recall clarifies that the hydraulic defect has not been linked to two recent AMG One fires. The first incident occurred in May 2023, when a vehicle was destroyed in a trailer fire in the UK. The second happened just weeks ago in Germany, when a car burst into flames at the roadside. Neither case, according to investigators, involved the rear wing hydraulic line.

As owners begin to navigate the recall process, the AMG One remains a testament to the ambition—and challenges—of translating race-bred technology to the road. For now, this hypercar’s journey continues not on the track, but in the workshop.

Source: Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt

News

BMW Bets on Both EVs and ICEs

In a world where automakers are racing toward an all-electric future—often only to slam the brakes when reality catches up—BMW is charting a different course. While rivals made bold proclamations about phasing out internal combustion engines, only to later scale back or delay their plans, BMW never pledged to quit gas or diesel. And that might be its smartest move yet.

BMW CEO Oliver Zipse has consistently voiced a pragmatic stance: the transition to electric should be driven by market readiness, not regulation. With electric vehicle (EV) prices still out of reach for many consumers and charging infrastructure lagging in several regions, BMW argues that customer choice should remain paramount.

That philosophy was echoed again in a recent Automobilwoche interview with Klaus von Moltke, plant manager at BMW’s Steyr engine factory in Austria—home to 1.2 million ICE units last year. “The combustion engine is our foundation and will also finance our future business,” von Moltke stated, reaffirming that BMW is far from done with traditional powertrains.

Future-Proofing the Internal Combustion Engine

Rather than winding down ICE development, BMW is doubling down. Engineers are actively updating their three- to eight-cylinder engines to comply with the stringent upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations. This isn’t just about petrol either—diesel still has a place in the BMW lineup, albeit in a more sustainable form.

Enter HVO100: a renewable diesel fuel derived from hydrotreated vegetable oil. BMW is already using it to fill diesel models at German plants before export. With claims of up to 90% CO₂ reduction compared to standard diesel, plus better cold-start performance and resistance to microbial contamination, HVO100 could extend the relevance of diesel technology in an eco-conscious market.

One Foot in the Future

Despite its ICE commitments, BMW isn’t ignoring the electric revolution. The Steyr plant is now also assembling electric motors for the upcoming Neue Klasse lineup—a new generation of EVs spearheaded by the next iX3, set to debut this September at IAA Mobility in Munich. Series production of the EV will ramp up later this year at BMW’s cutting-edge factory in Debrecen, Hungary.

BMW aims for a 50/50 sales split between ICE and EV models by 2030. That may sound ambitious—especially considering that EVs accounted for just 17.4% of BMW Group deliveries (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) in 2024—but early 2025 numbers show that EVs have already climbed to 19% of sales, suggesting a steady, achievable trajectory.

Playing the Long Game

What about the EU’s proposed ban on new ICE vehicle sales by 2035? Von Moltke was diplomatic: “It’s not our job to make such assumptions; that’s pointless. Our job is to consider all possible scenarios, prepare for each one, and ensure our delivery capability.”

In other words, BMW isn’t gambling on one drivetrain. It’s hedging its bets—investing in combustion, hybrid, and electric technologies alike.

Take the performance division, for instance. BMW has confirmed a new gasoline-powered M3 with an inline-six engine is in development, likely with mild electrification. And the upcoming M5? It’s sticking with a V8, now enhanced with plug-in hybrid tech to meet emissions regulations without sacrificing power.

The Art of Automotive Agility

While others zig and zag through the volatile EV transition, BMW is playing the long game. By maintaining a flexible strategy that doesn’t alienate current ICE customers or ignore electric innovation, the Bavarian automaker might just be best positioned for whatever the road ahead holds.

In the race to the future, BMW isn’t rushing to the finish line—it’s building a lane of its own.

Source: Automobilwoche

News

Volvo EX60: All-Electric Midsize SUV Coming in 2026

Volvo’s electric revolution is charging ahead, and the next chapter is already beginning to take form. With a growing EV lineup that includes the compact EX30, the stylish EX40 and C40 crossovers, the luxurious EX90 flagship SUV, and the newly revealed ES90 sedan, Volvo is gearing up to expand its electric family further with the upcoming EX60 — a model poised to redefine the midsize SUV segment.

A Familiar Name, a Bold New Vision

Previewed in clay during the ES90’s March debut, the EX60 will serve as the all-electric successor to the best-selling XC60. Though still under wraps, Volvo has teased a glimpse of the SUV’s rear design on social media, revealing a signature blocky taillight layout with bold LED accents that trace upward along the D-pillars — a hallmark of Volvo’s SUV styling.

More than just a design evolution, the EX60 represents a major leap in Volvo’s technological ambitions. The company describes it as “fully software-defined and built to evolve over time,” suggesting that over-the-air updates and adaptive features will be key pillars of the model. Volvo confidently adds that the EX60 is “more than a midsize SUV — it’s the future,” confirming its arrival for early 2026.

Built on New Foundations

Underpinning the EX60 will be the brand-new SPA3 architecture — a scalable, next-gen EV platform that builds on the SPA2 bones found in the EX90 and ES90. This new platform promises greater efficiency, flexibility, and technological integration, though Volvo has yet to release full details.

Still, educated guesses can be made. The EX60 is expected to adopt similar powertrains to the ES90, which means buyers may have a choice between single- and dual-motor setups. If it inherits the ES90’s 102 kWh battery, the EX60 could deliver a range approaching 400 miles (644 km) on a full charge. Moreover, with 350 kW DC fast charging likely on the menu, a 10-minute top-up could yield 186 miles (300 km) of additional range — ideal for long road trips or quick urban errands.

Safety First, Always

Staying true to Volvo’s legacy of safety leadership, the EX60 will debut a multi-adaptive safety belt system. This pioneering technology uses onboard sensors to assess a passenger’s height, weight, and body shape, adjusting the restraint force accordingly in the event of a collision. It’s another example of Volvo’s focus on not just preventing accidents, but optimizing protection when they occur.

Looking Ahead

While Volvo is keeping tight control over the full EX60 spec sheet for now, what’s already been revealed paints a picture of a smart, sophisticated, and safety-forward SUV — one that stands ready to take the baton from the XC60 and carry it into the electrified future.

As the countdown to 2026 begins, the EX60 is shaping up to be a pivotal model in Volvo’s mission to become a fully electric brand by 2030 — and a serious contender in the fiercely competitive midsize premium SUV space.

Source: Volvo