Latest news with #TheDrive
Auto Blog
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Tesla Ordered to Buy Back Model S Plaid After Brake Failure Ruling
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. A Norwegian court has ordered Tesla to buy back a Model S Plaid after a catastrophic brake failure during a track day, marking one of the most damning legal defeats for the automaker in recent memory. The Oslo District Court ruled in favor of the owner, Vilhelm Dybwad, who reached out to The Drive about the incident, after the high-performance EV failed to complete even a single lap without overheating its brakes—despite being advertised as a track-ready machine. The court found Tesla's marketing claims to be misleading and ruled that the $150,000 vehicle was sold under false pretenses. Tesla must now refund the full purchase price, pay interest, and cover legal fees—adding up to nearly $150,000 in total compensation. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:09 Full screen Tesla sales in Europe drop yet again Watch More Source: Tesla What Happened on Track? Dybwad's Model S Plaid experienced total brake fade at Rudskogen Motorsenter, Norway's most demanding racetrack, on its very first hot lap. The failure was immediate and severe: the car's brake system overheated almost instantly, flashing warning messages and rendering the car unsafe for track use. The owner filed suit under Norway's strong consumer protection laws. The court found that Tesla had marketed the Model S Plaid as 'track-capable' without equipping it with proper hardware to survive a performance environment. Tesla's defense—that a carbon-ceramic brake package was coming later—was not deemed sufficient, as it wasn't available at the time of purchase. Source: Holden Marketing Promises Versus Reality Tesla has long walked a fine line between performance bragging rights and practical durability. In this case, its own ads—including a Nürburgring campaign and various Plaid promo clips—were used as evidence of deceptive claims. This ruling comes at a time when Tesla is also facing significant pressure in the U.S. over how it markets its driver-assist features. Just this week, the company published a new safety report claiming its Autopilot system is significantly safer than manual driving, stating that cars using Autopilot went over six million miles between crashes in Q2. But critics argue that real-world user experience often paints a more inconsistent picture. That inconsistency has become a legal liability. In California, Tesla is now facing a potential 30-day sales ban over allegations of misleading advertising regarding its 'Full Self-Driving' and 'Autopilot' systems—terms regulators argue are dangerously inaccurate. Source: Tesla More Trouble Ahead The buyback ruling could set a precedent in Europe and beyond, particularly for owners who have pushed the Model S or Model X beyond their daily comfort zones. Although Tesla has already launched track packages for newer Model S units—complete with upgraded brakes—this case highlights a wider problem for the company: the disparity between its marketing and real-world performance. It also comes amid growing global competition. In China, Tesla faces a serious threat from Dongfeng's new M-Hero M817, an off-road-capable hybrid SUV that racked up 10,000 pre-orders in just 24 hours. The M817's broad capability and local appeal make it a formidable rival in a market where Tesla's position has become less secure. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. What This Means for Owners and Enthusiasts For Model S Plaid owners, the takeaway is clear: despite its straight-line speed and headline-grabbing horsepower, the Plaid may not be as versatile as Tesla claims. Unless fitted with the appropriate hardware—and driven within its limits—the car may not meet the expectations its marketing has set. Whether this case sparks more lawsuits is unclear. But it's certainly part of a broader reckoning Tesla faces—not just for its product claims, but for its relationship with regulators and consumers worldwide. About the Author Max Taylor View Profile
Scotsman
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish golfers offered staggering St Andrews round discount - here's how you can play
Second phase of 'The Drive' initiative announced by St Andrews Links Trust Sign up to our Golf newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottish golfers are being offered a staggering discount to play some of the St Andrews courses through 'The Drive' initiative launched earlier this year by St Andrews Links. On the back of cut-priced rounds being provided on the Old Course and Eden Course, nearly 400 tee times are now being made available at a discounted 87.5 per cent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tee times for The Castle Course and Jubilee Course will be available in September and October to Scottish golfers, with applications opening on 28 July. Two golfers prepare to head out on the Old Course at St Andrews as part of the first phase of The Drive | St Andrews Links Trust This second phase of The Drive will provide a further 392 golfers the chance to experience golf in St Andrews at a fraction of the regular cost, with tee times priced at just £22.50 for The Castle Course (normally £180) and £18.75 for the Jubilee Course (normally £150). During the first phase, which saw more than 14,000 applications for discounted rounds on the Old Course and Eden Course, a total of 324 golfers were successful in securing a tee time. Forty four players teeing up on the Old Course for just £42.50 (normally £340) while another 280 enjoyed rounds on the Eden Course at just £9.50 (normally £75). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There is a strong appetite in Scotland for greater access to our courses' Laurie Watson, Director of Engagement at St Andrews Links Trust, said: 'We were delighted with the overwhelming response to the first phase of The Drive, it was great to hear the wonderful stories and positive feedback from those who took part. 'It's clear that there is a strong appetite in Scotland for greater access to our courses and we are proud to be opening applications for this next instalment of the initiative.'
The Drive
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
Kia's Electric Vans With Swappable Bodies Are Finally Real
The latest car news, reviews, and features. As much as it pains me to say it, I've had my fill of concept cars. These days, I want to see vehicles that could actually exist and improve people's lives, be it through driving enjoyment, genius practicality, or refreshing design. Back in January of last year, Kia shared a vision of a line of modular utility vehicles built on an electric skateboard platform. It's the sort of thing so many companies have promised, but few have delivered. Credit to Kia though—this wasn't just a pie-in-the-sky dream, because the PV5, and all 16 of its possible body style configurations, have officially entered production. The most obvious application for the PV5—the first of Kia's 'Platform Beyond Vehicle' line—is cargo and fleet operations. There are three cargo body styles available at launch: a standard-length one, a longer body, and a high-roof variant. Every PV5 has the same front cabin and first-row structure; it's everything behind them that changes. The passenger version is built on the long-body base, and offers multiple seating options. Buyers can configure their PV5 with or without third-row seating, and swap out the second-row bench for captain's chairs if they like. The automaker is taking full advantage of the potential for drag-and-drop customization with more body styles due in the coming months, including a chassis cab, as well as accessories focused on camping. Kia says the PV5's structure comes together like puzzle pieces you can mix and match, which explains the visual aid here. Kia Kia is even planning to offer factory conversions, 'built to the same durability and safety standards' as its core lineup, per the company's press release. It also worked with mobility-impaired consultants to design a wheelchair-accessible version of the PV5, which it showed off during its PV5 Tech Day in Korea this week. The van offers a choice of three battery packs, ranging from 43 to 71 kWh, all coupled with the same electric motor that produces 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. In the U.K., the passenger version will start at the equivalent of $44,000. Not exactly a bargain, but much better than the $60K Volkswagen Unsurprisingly, Kia has no plans to bring its PBV range stateside. Why would it, what with all the chaos surrounding tariffs and the imminent death of EV tax credits? We see a lot of vehicles here at The Drive that we're personally sad to miss out on in North America, but every so often, there's one that really stings because it represents more than a niche enthusiast car. GM had a good idea with its BrightDrop electric cargo vans, but compared to what Kia's doing here, that initiative was just scratching the surface by only courting the commercial market. Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Vuma FM responds to Jacinta Ngobese's dismissal claims
Jancita joined Vuma FM in 2019. Vuma FM has responded to claims by presenter Jacinta Ngobese, who alleged that the station unfairly dismissed her. Ngobese released a statement this week, claiming the station terminated her contract without explanation. She said she was informed that her employment would be terminated, with her final day scheduled for 31 July. 'In 2019, I joined Vuma FM and over the years worked on several time slots, including The Drive and The Cruise. I served the station with dedication, commitment and tenacity, and rejected many offers primarily because Vuma FM was my second home. She added: 'On Tuesday, 15 July, I received a letter from my employer, terminating my employment contract without any reasons given to me. It has come to my attention that a complaint was brought by an external entity and/or individual. I shall not deal with the details of that complaint at this stage.' ALSO READ: Minnie Dlamini out as Selbeyonce returns to Gagasi FM Vuma FM 'sets the record straight' In a statement issued on Monday, Vuma FM clarified that Ngobese was not dismissed but the station did not renew her contract. 'The recent decision made by Vuma FM not to renew Mrs Ngobese-Zuma's contract as presenter is not a dismissal but a natural conclusion of an independent contractor's term. 'All of our presenter contracts are subject to annual renewal at the station's discretion, a standard practice in our industry.' The station added that the decision formed part of internal line-up changes. 'Vuma FM made the line-up changes based on internal, annual evaluation and not influenced by any external party. We would like to thank Mrs Ngobese-Zuma for her contribution to the station and wish her well in the future.' NOW READ: Gospel star Xolisa Kwinana arrested for alleged GBV
The Drive
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
Lexus Kills LC Hybrid After Just 8 Sales Last Year
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Any way you look at it, the Lexus LC 500 is one of the world's greatest cars. I've been lucky to drive several since it came out in 2018, and each time I got behind the wheel of the V8 model, I loved it more than the last. The hybrid V6, though? No thanks. Other people seem to agree, as a Lexus spokesperson confirmed to The Drive that the brand only sold eight of them last year. Maybe that's why it's getting the ax. When Lexus announced the 2026 updates for the LC 500 last week, it quietly omitted the hybrid V6 model from the press releases, spec sheets, etc. A Lexus spokesperson confirmed to The Drive that only the V8 model will be offered in the States next year. The hybrid will remain available in some markets, but the U.S. isn't one of them. The fact that they sold so few is probably all the reason Lexus bosses needed to sunset the car. Normally I'd show some remorse over a stylish coupe departing our shores, but in this case, nope. Goodbye and good riddance. Lexus It's not often that something like this happens, where we actually keep the good car and say goodbye to the bad car. Imagine if an automaker killed the automatic and kept the manual instead of the other way around? The 3.5-liter V6 hybrid was slow, clunky, and sounded bad, while the 5.0-liter V8 model has been a future collectible since its debut. Sometimes people sleep on good cars and that's why they get discontinued, but this time, justice has been served. Got a tip? Email us at tips@
