The Auto World

BMW is recalling nearly 30,000 plug-in hybrids over a fire risk. Owners are being told to park outside, away from structures. Recall is related to previous campaign involving 196,355 vehicles. Fire-related recalls just got a tad more luxurious as BMW needs to fix 29,119 vehicles that could short circuit. The issue is serious enough that owners are being advised to “park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a handful of models are equipped with an engine starter relay that can corrode. This can result in the relay overheating and causing a short circuit. More: Over Half A Million BMWs Recalled For Fire Risk, And Toyota’s Caught In It Too The issue impacts a number of old plug-in hybrids including the 2016-2018 330e iPerformance, the 2017-2019 740Le xDrive iPerformance, and the 2018-2020 530e iPerformance as well as its all-wheel...

Toyota makes digital gauge clusters standard across the board on MY27 Corolla. 18-inch gloss white alloy wheels join the official accessory list for a JDM-type look. 169 hp, 2.0-liter engine and CVT are carried over, but sporty FX trim is discontinued. The Toyota Corolla Hatchback heads into 2027 having gained equipment and a very appealing exterior upgrade option, but minus one of the best things about the MY26 car. The biggest upgrade news is inside the cabin, where larger digital displays become much more common across the lineup. The SE now comes standard with a seven-inch digital instrument cluster to go with its 8-inch touchscreen, while the XSE upgrades to a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a larger 10.5-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard. Related: Toyota Delays New Electric Highlander Before It Even Launches, Gas Model Stays Buyers who don’t want to step all the way up to the XSE can now bridge the gap with a ne...

LAPD allowed its three-year agreement with Flock Safety to expire rather than renewing it. Officials cited unresolved concerns over privacy, civil liberties, data sharing, and security. The technology has also faced criticism over misuse, false alerts, and operational challenges. Automatic license plate reading (ALPR) cameras are in the news across the nation. Now, one of the largest police departments in the country has just allowed its contract with Flock Safety, a leader in the ALPR space, to lapse. While the two sides will likely still come together over a new deal, the LAPD just openly admitted that it’s concerned about privacy and data related to Flock’s network. And the police aren’t alone. More: Why More Cities Are Suddenly Pulling The Plug On Flock Safety Cameras Flock Safety’s network of cameras captures images of passing vehicles and their license plates, allowing authorized users to search for vehicles c...

Jeep has introduced the 2027 Wrangler Laredo. It features brown accents and a leather interior. SUV sports a 1-inch lift and 35-inch all-terrain tires. Jeep’s Twelve 4 Twelve campaign continues as the brand has introduced the Wrangler Laredo. It revives an iconic trim from the 80’s and draws inspiration from the Texas border town as well as the American Southwest. Previewed by the Wrangler Laredo concept , the production model is based on the Wrangler Willys with the Xtreme 35 Package. This means it’s a rough and tumble off-roader with a 1-inch lift as well as bronze 17-inch, beadlock-capable wheels wrapped in 35-inch BFGoodrich KO2 tires. More: Jeep Honors A Military Icon With New Sarge Editions Buyers will also find a Gobi grille, Laredo hood decals, and brown bodyside graphics. They’re joined by bronze tow hooks and a lasso-style “4WD” logo on the rear end. Continuing the...

The iX4 will be equipped with the same batteries and motors as the iX3. A recent leak indicated 40 xDrive and 50 xDrive will be among the first available., BMW’s Debrecen plant in Hungary will handle production of the iX4. With the second-generation iX3, BMW has proven it can build an EV that rivals new competitors from China. Sales have been strong, so it comes as no surprise to see the German brand wasting no time in launching a slightly more streamlined iX4 version. Tipped to hit most markets next year, the iX4 was first snapped during winter testing earlier this year. Now, our photographers have scooped it on the move at the Nurburgring, looking a lot more aerodynamic than the iX3. Thanks to the skin-tight camouflage, we’re provided with an almost unimpeded view of the vehicle’s overall shape. Read: New BMW iX4 Gets The Coupe Cut, But You’ll Feel The Trim Up front, expect a close copy of the iX3 , with the ...

Toyota introduced the Corolla Sport Active Elegance edition in Japan. The special model celebrates the 60th anniversary of the nameplate. It adds an optional Mustard paint job and a premium suede interior. Toyota is pushing further into the 60th anniversary of the Corolla with another special edition. The Active Sport sedan and wagon came first , then the rugged Corolla Cross Z Adventure, and now the birthday treatment reaches the five-door Corolla Sport hatchback in Japan. The Toyota Corolla Sport G Z Active Elegance builds on the flagship trim and adds a handful of exterior and interior extras. More: Toyota’s New Rugged Corolla Cross Special Swipes The Land Cruiser’s Grille Badging The highlight is the availability of an exclusive Black and Mustard two-tone color option. This helps it stand out, but the exterior design of the current twelfth-generation Corolla has been largely unchanged since its debut in 2018. The specia...