Month: December 2023

Dec 18

Car Collides with SUV in President Biden’s Motorcade During Wilmington Visit

President Joe Biden’s routine visit to a Wilmington campaign office ended with an unexpected jolt when a car crashed into a parked SUV from his motorcade on Sunday evening. The incident occurred just after 8 p.m. as Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were leaving the event, where they had been thanking staff for their efforts in his reelection campaign. The crash happened while Biden was addressing the press about his polling numbers, creating a tense moment for the Secret Service.

The collision, which generated a loud noise on the street, drew immediate attention from the Secret Service. Agents quickly surrounded the car that caused the crash and instructed the driver to comply with their commands. Despite the commotion, the Secret Service later confirmed that the crash was an accident, not an attempted attack on the President, and Biden’s motorcade departed without further incident. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the President’s vehicle was not involved in the crash, as Dr. Jill Biden was already in a different SUV.

This incident is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of securing high-profile figures. It’s worth noting that such crashes involving Secret Service vehicles are not unprecedented; earlier this year, a stolen pizza dough truck collided with a Secret Service car, and in late 2022, rental vehicles used by the Service were destroyed in a parking deck fire.

Dec 18

Drunk Driver Crashes into SUV in Biden’s Motorcade Near Wilmington Campaign Office

President Joe Biden was briefly startled by a loud crash as he exited his campaign headquarters in Wilmington on Sunday night, when a car collided with a parked SUV from his motorcade. The incident occurred while Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were leaving the event, but fortunately, neither of them was injured. The collision happened as Biden was making his way to his waiting armored vehicle, and the motorcade was quickly secured.

According to Wilmington police, a 46-year-old local man, who was suspected of driving under the influence, accidentally crashed into the U.S. Secret Service SUV that was stationed to secure the area around Biden’s visit. The driver attempted to drive further into the restricted area before Secret Service agents intervened, drawing their weapons and directing him to comply. Following the incident, the driver was charged with drunk driving and inattentive driving.

The crash caused a loud noise that briefly disrupted the area, but the president’s departure was not delayed. The Secret Service confirmed that the incident did not pose a serious threat to Biden, and his schedule proceeded as planned. This event highlights the importance of rigorous security measures, as even minor accidents can cause significant concern during high-profile events.

Dec 18

Unintentional Collision Involving Biden’s Motorcade SUV; No Injuries Reported

On Sunday night, a car accidentally collided with an SUV in President Joe Biden’s motorcade, creating a moment of tension as the president departed from his campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. The impact, which occurred as Biden was entering his vehicle, was startling but fortunately did not result in any injuries. The collision happened amid heavy rain, adding to the challenging conditions.

The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that the crash, which involved a vehicle securing the motorcade route, was purely accidental and not related to any security threat. Secret Service spokesperson Steve Kopek assured that the incident was not indicative of any protective breach, and the motorcade proceeded without further delay. Despite the commotion, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were safely escorted to their car, and their schedule remained unaffected.

The crash produced a loud noise that drew Biden’s attention momentarily, but the situation was quickly controlled by Secret Service agents who surrounded the offending vehicle. The Bidens had been visiting their Wilmington campaign office, marking their first visit since staff relocation there over the summer. This incident underscores the rigorous security measures in place during high-profile events, even when faced with unforeseen accidents.

Dec 18

2024 Mercedes AMG EQE SUV Gets A Disappointing 235 Miles Of EPA Range

The regular EQE SUV from the 2023 model year were rated at 253-279 miles.

The all-new, performance-oriented Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE SUV enters the U.S. market with a relatively low EPA range rating.

According to the recently released data, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE SUV, equipped with a 90.6-kilowatt-hour battery and 21-inch wheels, gets only 235 miles of EPA Combined range.

It’s a disappointing result, especially for a vehicle with a six-digit price tag, and compared to some of the other premium SUV models, which are often either more efficient or equipped with a bigger battery.

For reference, the regular 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV models (equipped with 19-inch wheels) were rated at 253-279 miles of EPA Combined range, according to the manufacturer. The 2024 model year results are not yet available.

Energy consumption, including charging losses, of the 2024 Mercedes AMG EQE SUV with 21-inch wheels, is estimated at 74 MPGe or about 455 watt-hours per mile.

2024 Mercedes AMG EQE SUV 21-inch :: EPA Range rating by InsideEVs
[Electric Vehicle 2-cycle label]
Combined
City
Highway		 235 miles
N/A
N/A
EPA Energy consumption (including charging losses):
Combined
City
Highway		 74 MPGe: 455 Wh/mi
77 MPGe: 438 Wh/mi
71 MPGe: 475 Wh/mi

The strongest point of the AMG version is its higher power output, which allows it to achieve 0-60 mph acceleration in just 3.4 seconds. Nonetheless, the BMW iX M60 can do it as well (3.6 seconds) and gets almost 300 miles of range.

Model Drive Battery
(kWh)		 EPA
Range		 0-60
mph
(sec)
2023 Mercedes EQE 350+ SUV 19-inch RWD 90.6 279 mi* 6.3
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic SUV 19-inch AWD 90.6 253 mi* 6.2
2023 Mercedes EQE 500 4Matic SUV 19-inch AWD 90.6 269 mi* 4.6
2024 Mercedes AMG EQE SUV 21-inch AWD 90.6 235 mi 3.4

* EPA-estimated range, according to the manufacturer’s website

Pricing

In terms of pricing, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQE SUV starts at an MSRP of $109,300 (plus a $1,150 destination charge). The vehicle does not qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit.

Model Base Price Dest. Charge Tax Credit Effective Price
2023 Mercedes EQE 350+ SUV 19-inch $77,900 +$1,150 N/A $79,050
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic SUV 19-inch $77,900 +$1,150 N/A $79,050
2023 Mercedes EQE 500 4Matic SUV 19-inch $89,500 +$1,150 N/A $90,650
2024 Mercedes AMG EQE SUV 21-inch $109,300 +$1,150 N/A $110,450

It’s worth noting that the car comes with two years of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions at the Electrify America charging network.

DC fast charging from 10 to 80% state-of-charge is expected to take slightly over half an hour, at up to 170 kilowatts.

Dec 18

Fire truck overturns after being hit by SUV in NC

Three firefighters and a driver suffered minor injuries after a crash in North Carolina.

According to the Thomasville Police Department, firefighters were on their way to a crash on I-85 around 1 p.m. on Sunday when an SUV crossed the intersection of Baptist Children’s Home Road and West Holly Hill Road extension, hitting the fire truck.

The truck overturned. The driver of the SUV and three firefighters were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. No charges have been filed.

One person was taken to the hospital in the crash that they were initially responding to and the highway patrol is investigating.

Dec 18

New Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV teased: entry-level electric crossover coming in 2026

Volkswagen has given us a first look at the new ID. 2all SUV, a jacked-up version of the entry-level electric hatchback we saw earlier this year. Read on for all you need to know.

  • New Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV teased
  • Entry-level electric SUV
  • Design cues from the ID. 2all hatchback
  • Single motor powering the front wheels
  • Could have over 260 miles of range
  • On sale in 2026

This is the new Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV, a small electric crossover which will go on sale in 2026.

It’ll share plenty of parts with the ID. 2all hatchback which was revealed earlier this year, meaning it’ll have front-wheel-drive and could put out 226hp.

New Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV design

This teaser image is your only look at the new Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV and, while it doesn’t reveal too much, you can see a few of the design cues.

It looks as though it’ll have a similar sleek LED headlight design to the hatchback, as well as the same pointy nose. You can expect to see the same full-width light bar as that car as well.

Looking at the side profile, it appears to have a pretty squared-off rear end with a sporty-looking roof spoiler, and you can see the same three-line graphics as you’ll find on the Volkswagen ID.Buzz.

New Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV motors and batteries

While there’s no official stats for the new ID. 2all SUV, it’ll be based on the same underpinnings as the hatchback. This means you can expect to see similar numbers to that car.

Volkswagen has confirmed that this new electric SUV will be front-wheel drive, meaning it’s likely to use the same 226hp motor as the hatchback. That car can sprint from 0-60mph in under 7.0 seconds, so expect this larger SUV version to take just over that figure.

As for the battery, there’s no word on the size just yet but the ID. 2all hatchback can do up to 280 miles on a charge. With this being a larger SUV, you can expect to get around 260 miles of range.

When can I buy a new Volkswagen ID. 2all SUV?

Volkswagen will whip the covers off this new electric SUV in 2026, so you can expect sales to start towards the end of that year. It’ll almost certainly fetch a premium over the hatchback, with a starting price of around £30,000 likely.

Dec 18

Fire truck overturns after being hit by SUV in Thomasville

Three firefighters and a driver suffered minor injuries after a crash in Thomasville.

According to the Thomasville Police Department, firefighters were on their way to a crash on I-85 around 1 p.m. on Sunday when an SUV crossed the intersection of Baptist Children’s Home Road and West Holly Hill Road extension, hitting the fire truck.

The truck overturned. The driver of the SUV and three firefighters were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. No charges have been filed.

One person was taken to the hospital in the crash that they were initially responding to and the highway patrol is investigating.

Dec 18

Year in review: the top 10 cars of 2023, as selected by Wallpaper’s Jonathan Bell

This was the year that EVs went thoroughly mainstream, even as political dithering dented the emphasis on the urgency of the need to switch from ICE. There were still a few notable novelties in the latter sphere, perhaps buoyed by mixed official messaging and the belief that fossil fuels somehow deserved a future in the hands of the well-heeled. Whilst we thoroughly enjoyed the latest from Ferrari, Maserati, and Aston Martin, there’s an undeniable feeling of an era drawing to a close. Will the old guard manage to rewrite the rule book, or will new brands without the heavy drag of heritage be able to get ahead? Peruse our picks of 2023 (in no particular order)…

Top 10 cars of 2023

1. Audi e-tron GT

We loved Audi’s e-tron GT, a handsome grand tourer that shows that premium electric cars need not be about over-powered hypercars or hefty SUVs. Expect a face-lifted and lightly upgraded version of the GT to break cover in 2024 – we’re looking forward to it.

2. Hyundai Ioniq 6

Hyundai kept up its current winning streak with the sleek Ioniq 6, a streamlined electric saloon that showed that design could be bold and different without alienating anyone.

3. Volkswagen ID.Buzz

VW has a hit on its hands with the ID.Buzz, a flexible MPV that’s equally at home as a car or a commercial vehicle. The high-riding driving position and acres of space recall the original VW Combi and 2024 should see 7-seater and campervan variants arrive.

4. Rolls-Royce Spectre

Rolls-Royce spoiled us with the all-electric Spectre, a mighty achievement that goes straight to the top of the luxury wish-list. Serene, majestic yet also sprightly and long-legged, the vast coupé epitomises the company’s long-held ethos.

5. Lotus Eletre

The Lotus Eletre follows the familiar playbook for all-new electric auto brands; start with a sizeable SUV and eventually downscale. Only Lotus is no start-up. The Eletre might not demonstrate the venerable sports car maker’s historic passion for lightness, but it’s a truly convincing piece of kit. Next year sees the arrival of the new Emeya electric saloon.

6. Ferrari Roma Spider

Ferrari threw open the roads of Sardinia for the launch of its beautiful Roma Spider, reasoning that the media would look most kindly on the car if it was in its natural environment. It succeeded; in the right location, the Spider encapsulates la dolce vita.

7. Aston Martin DB12

Something of a glorious anachronism, the DB12 is the automotive equivalent of a long-running film franchise that manages to stay fresh and relevant with each release. Essentially an uprated and restyled DB11, the DB12 retains the essential elements of beauty and brawn, only now it’s a little more user friendly.

8. Maserati MC20

The MC20 was a mild surprise for long-time followers of Italian manufacturer Maserati. Just when it seemed the company had sacrificed over a century of history on the altar of the dreaded SUV, it came out with this magnificent mid-engined supercar. Old-school cool in all the right ways. 2024 marks Maserati’s 110th birthday, so expect some kind of four-wheeled celebration.

9. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

Another modern Italian masterpiece, the 33 Stradale is a strictly limited-edition hypercar. Unveiled back in August, it pointed to a mini design renaissance for the firm, once the unrivalled masters of making beautiful cars at every price point. If just 10 per cent of the 33 Stradale’s good looks make it into the next all-electric generation of Alfa road cars, the company’s future looks bright.

10. David Brown Automotive Mini eMastered

Finally, a leftfield choice that merges truly iconic design with up-to-the-minute technology. DBA’s Mini eMastered is both strikingly brilliant and fantastically expensive. The ultimate luxury city car?

Dec 18

Vehicle Collides with Secret Service SUV During Biden’s Campaign Visit

On Sunday evening, a vehicle crashed into a stationary SUV that was part of President Joe Biden’s motorcade as he was departing from his campaign headquarters. The collision, which occurred while Biden was exiting the building, startled both the president and his security team. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the accident.

The incident took place amid a downpour, which may have contributed to the driver’s loss of control. Despite the dramatic sound of the crash, Secret Service agents quickly secured the scene, ensuring that President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were safely escorted to their vehicle. The motorcade was able to continue without further disruption, highlighting the effectiveness of the security measures in place.

Dec 18

Drunk Driver Hits Secret Service SUV During Biden’s Wilmington Visit

A weekend incident in Wilmington, Delaware, involved a drunk driver crashing into a parked SUV that was part of President Joe Biden’s motorcade. James Cooper, 46, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and inattentive driving after plowing into the vehicle securing the area around Biden’s campaign headquarters. Fortunately, neither President Biden nor First Lady Jill Biden were harmed in the collision.

The crash occurred as Biden was walking towards his armored SUV, which was surrounded by U.S. Secret Service vehicles. Despite the loud bang and damage from the crash, Secret Service agents quickly contained the situation, ensuring the Bidens were safely escorted away. The motorcade continued without delay, and the incident was deemed accidental with no further threat to the president.