We’ve heard things were bad at Faraday Future for a while, but after securing $2 billion in funding and completing its first body-in-white ahead of schedule, it sounded like FF may have turned things around. Unfortunately for the employees who depend on the electric car startup for a paycheck, the latest news paints an extremely bleak picture of the company’s future.
The Verge reports that Nick Sampson, one of Faraday Future’s three co-founders, has resigned. That development comes only a day after news broke that Peter Savagian, the company’s senior vice president of technology and product development, had left the company. In an email obtained by The Verge, Sampson even went so far as to call FF “effectively insolvent.”
In a statement, Faraday Future said, “We can confirm the recent departures of Peter Savagian, SVP, Global Product and Technology and Nick Sampson, SVP, Product Strategy—we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.”
Losing two top brass would be bad enough on its own, but last week, it was also reported that a slew of employee would be hit by layoffs, pay cuts, and furloughs. In addition to every employee receiving a 20-percent pay cut, those that have been laid off reportedly had the 20-percent cut applied to their final paychecks and received no severance.
Faraday confirmed that all employees hired after May 1 will be required to take an unpaid furlough lasting at least through December, but it could last longer depending on how soon funding can be secured. Salaried employees who were hired before May 1 may continue to work “at a reduced level of compensation,” according to Faraday. That reduced level is reported to be $50,000 a year. Meanwhile, hourly workers will be paid minimum wage. These changes will “basically shut down the company,” wrote Sampson in his resignation email.
As bad as all that sounds, Sampson isn’t ruling out one day coming back to Faraday, writing, “If circumstances should materially change, I certainly would consider returning to the company.”
In its statement, Faraday said the company received a “favorable ruling” in its arbitration against Evergrande, the Chinese real estate group responsible for the recent $2 billion investment. That means the startup is now free to seek other sources of funding, though it admits that process will take time, which is why the furlough period is open-ended. If CEO Jia Yueting can find a new investor, or work out the disagreement with Evergrande, it’s possible FF could turn things around. We’re just not going to hold our breath.
Hyundai and Kia will be the next brands to incorporate solar charging into their vehicles. Hybrid models are slated to receive the tech first, but solar systems will eventually roll out in EVs and conventional internal combustion cars after 2019.
The Korean car brands haven’t said which models will get the solar roofs, and in which markets. But we do know the first-generation system will comprise a structure of silicon solar panels integrated into a standard car roof. Hyundai says the system can charge about 30-60 percent of the battery in a day, depending on weather conditions and other factors.
At some point, Hyundai and Kia will roll out a second-generation system, this one designated for vehicles with internal combustion engines. The automakers boast this system for combustion vehicles will be a world-first application for solar charging technology. It integrates into a panoramic sunroof to simultaneously let light in and charge the vehicle’s battery.
Moving into the third generation of the technology, Hyundai and Kia will put solar-charging technologies on the hoods and roofs of electric vehicles. The automakers haven’t announced a timeline for the rollout, but say they are currently testing the system.
California has a track record of strict regulations for autonomous cars, but as the technology progresses, it has loosened some of its rules. It now allows companies to test autonomous vehicles without a safety driver behind the wheel on public roads, within certain limits. And Waymo has been granted the first permit in the state for these truly self-driving cars.
Waymo will test its fleet around the headquarters of its parent company Alphabet, which owns Google. The vehicles will roam around Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, and Palo Alto, the company said in a recent blog post. If Waymo chooses to expand to other areas, it will notify the affected communities and submit a request to the DMV.
Waymo has been granted permission to test on city streets, rural roads, and highways in the daytime and evening. The company is no stranger to autonomous cars without safety drivers. Its fully driverless cars have been shuttling around passengers in the Phoenix area of Arizona for more than a year now as part of an early rider program. Eventually, Waymo will open a similar program for the public in the Bay Area.
Since its inception in 2009, Waymo says it has logged more than 10 million autonomous miles on public roads across 25 different cities. The company has a fleet of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids fitted with sensors to support autonomous driving, and it’s in the process of adding autonomous Jaguar I-Paces (pictured above). The last we heard, Waymo was exploring the possibility of developing autonomous tech for trucks. Despite the advances made by multiple automakers and tech companies, we’re still a long way from an autonomous future, thanks to limited infrastructure as well as legal and ethical hurdles.
If you’re in the market for a full-size luxury off-roader with seating for seven, the Lexus LX 570 is one of the few SUVs that fit the bill. It’ll also cost you at least $87,125 including destination. But what if you want your LX to be a little more special, and perhaps more expensive? That’s where the Inspiration Series comes in.
Today, Lexus announced a new special edition LX that it plans to show off at the L.A. auto show next month. Unlike the LC Inspiration Series, the LX Inspiration Series is painted black. It also gets 21-inch black wheels with black center caps and a blacked-out grille surrounded by dark chrome. The headlights have been lightly smoked, and everything from the foglights to the windows is accented with either black plastic or dark chrome. Inside, the black theme continues, perhaps most noticeably on the headliner. The seats, however, stand out with white leather.
Inspiration Series LX models also come with heated and ventilated seats, Lexus’ advanced climate control system, a rear-seat entertainment package, a premium sound system, and a head-up display. There’s also a refrigerated compartment beneath the center armrest, a wireless charger, and a heated steering wheel. “LX” puddle lights complete the package just in case you’re worried someone won’t know which Lexus you drive.
Lexus says it plans to build 500 examples of the LX Inspiration Series, each priced at $101,715 including destination.
Last week, Ford announced plans to increase GT production yet again. But even though it plans to build 350 more cars, that will only bring the total to 1,350. If you’re one of the many enthusiasts who love the Ford GT, but can’t see yourself plunking down roughly half a million dollars for one, perhaps the Superformance Future GT Forty could be an acceptable substitute.
First revealed at the SEMA Show, the Superformance Future GT Forty is a lot more than a GT40 kit car. As we found when we drove Superformance’s Corvette Grand Sport, these cars use high-quality components and are extremely well-built. But Superformance has been selling GT40 continuations for years. The big difference here is the engine. Instead of a V-8, the Future GT Forty uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 just like the current 647-hp Ford GT.
Unlike Ford’s factory supercar, though, Superformance sourced the Future GT Forty’s turbos from Garrett. And unlike the original GT40, it rides on a Shockwave air suspension and has a carbon-fiber aero kit. Even though the car is thoroughly modern, though, Superformance says two-thirds of the chassis’ parts are interchangeable with the original GT40. It’s also absolutely gorgeous, just like the original.
Superformance says it doesn’t have official performance figures yet, but the goal is to hit 700 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque on E85. And since the car only weighs about 2,400 pounds, that should be enough power to run from 0-60 mph in the low-three-second range. That would make the Future GT Forty a bit more powerful and about as quick as the current Ford GT, and considering pricing starts at $179,900, it’s also much less expensive.
The very first SUVs were essentially just boxes on wheels made for hauling people and cargo around. But the growth of the crossover and SUV market has allowed automakers to branch out and get creative. Utility vehicles now come in all shapes and sizes, giving consumers a wide variety of choices ranging from mild and vanilla to wild and funky.
Here are 16 crossovers and SUVs that feature convention-defying styling.
Volvo XC40
Volvo’s smallest crossover is also its most heavily stylized, with cool design accents like small headlight clusters, a clamshell hood, and kinked rear quarter windows that give the illusion of a massive C-pillar. The XC40 injects a nice dose of youthfulness with its avant-garde exterior and it comes in colors that draw eyes to it the moment it drives by. Check the box for the optional black or white contrast roof on the R-Design and Momentum trims, respectively, for maximum curb appeal.
BMW X6
With a coupe-like silhouette on a high-riding SUV body, the X6 is the very definition of polarizing. But whether you love it or hate it, you have to admit its quirky design gives it an unmistakable appearance on the road.
Toyota C-HR
The term crossover has been stretched recently thanks to small utility vehicles that barely offer any ground clearance and only come in front-wheel drive. One such model is the Toyota C-HR, which has a low-slung body, angular front and rear fascias, and radically raked rear liftgate.
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible
One of only two SUVs available as a drop-top, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible lets you take in the sun while going off the beaten path. However, the lack of two doors and a hatch give it an awkward look with the roof up. Whether you have the fabric top in place or folded, the Evoque Convertible will turn heads for its novelty factor and unusual design.
Kia Sportage
Among compact crossovers, the Kia Sportage is one of the most attention-grabbing. Its aggressive front fascia features high-mounted headlights reminiscent of Porsche SUVs, which lends it a look you might not expect from a mainstream utility vehicle. Additionally, its short hood and bulbous body give it a stubbier appearance compared to its sleeker competitors.
Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
Following in the footsteps of rival BMW, Mercedes-Benz created the GLE Coupe for SUV customers who want a swoopy look at the expense of cargo volume. Opt for the AMG GLE 63 S, and you’ve got an SUV that’s high on sport, low on utility, and an expert at inducing head scratches in public.
Fiat 500X
Fiat’s sole crossover is adorable and packed with personality. The retro-chic 500X is at its quirkiest in vibrant colors such as red, orange, yellow, and baby blue. The crossover’s round shape adds to its character, making it more distinct. The 500X takes the bubbly shape of the 500 city car and blows it up to cute ute proportions, proving that crossovers can be quirky and stylish, especially with an injection of Italian flair.
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is a legend when it comes to its off-road capability, and it looks very different from other SUVs on the road. The only true body-on-frame SUV available as a convertible, the Wrangler is also available in a two-door configuration. The Wrangler’s design stays true to its heritage with design cues you can trace all the way back to the original Willys Jeep of the 1940s. Whether you buy it for its styling or its capabilities, the Wrangler is anything but your typical SUV.
Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona is the Korean automaker’s first subcompact crossover and it debuts the brand’s new design language for utility vehicles. Its body armor-like cladding, floating roof, and top-mounted LED daytime running lights give it a unique, yet polarizing look. Opt for the all-electric Kona EV and you get an even more extreme exterior design that deletes the gas version’s grille and body cladding.
BMW X4
As the X3’s less practical sibling, the BMW X4 follows in the tracks of the larger X6 with a coupe-like roofline of its own. Unlike the first generation, which had a taller greenhouse, the latest X4 is swoopier thanks to a longer body and thus a longer, more gradual roof rake. To further distinguish the X4 from the more practical X3, BMW gave it the M Sport suspension as standard.
Nissan Kicks
Even though it’s more conventional than its (indirect) predecessor the Juke, the Nissan Kicks offers plenty of style points and a look that gives it a more youthful vibe. For the most visual pop, pair the two-tone exterior with wildly colored wheel inserts and interior trim. For maximum head-turning style, customize your Kicks through Nissan’s Color Studio program to truly make it your own.
Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar I-Pace is the first all-electric crossover to challenge Tesla, and it’s also one of the most eye-catching. Looking like a low-slung four-door fastback from the future, the I-Pace can raise itself up for additional ground clearance when needed.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is the baby brother of the GLE Coupe, and like its larger sibling it slaps a fastback rear end on an SUV body. Like others of its breed, the GLC Coupe’s sloping roofline gives it an unconventional shape, allowing it to stand out even more at the cost of some utility. Unlike the standard GLC crossover, the GLC Coupe also has its own unique suspension tuning for improved handling.
Mini Countryman
The second-gen Mini Countryman is larger than its predecessor, but has retained its trademark quirkiness. Available in a wide variety of vibrant colors, the Countryman is as customizable as ever. Like every other Mini, you can personalize it to your heart’s content with dealer accessories and options including Union Jack decals, a contrasting roof, racing stripes, illuminated interior trim, and more.
Jeep Renegade
Inspired by the Jeeps of old, the Renegade is boxy, rugged-looking, and exactly what a baby Jeep should look like. The Renegade backs up its appearance with more off-road capability than you’d expect from a subcompact crossover.
BMW X2
BMW already has the coupe-like X6 and X4, but why stop there? Like those more expensive models, the X2 is a sportier-looking version of another vehicle in BMW’s lineup, in this case the X1. But unlike its larger siblings, although the X2 has a lower roof and smaller greenhouse, the crossover otherwise sports a more conventional look. Still, this small crossover places a big emphasis on exterior styling with standard 18-inch wheels, a raked liftgate, and a BMW roundel badge placed on the C-pillar as a tribute to the classic 3.0 CS.
