Following the announcement that Porsche’s first all-electric car will be called the Taycan comes news of the Porsche Charging Service app.

Intended for use with plug-in hybrid or full electric cars, the app aims to simplify the process of finding a charger to top-up your battery.

The Charging Service app will first search out the nearest charging point to the current location of the driver. It then makes use of the car’s navigation system to guide the driver to the available charger. The app will also provide information about the cost of each charging point, helping drivers decide which is the most suitable

Once at the charger, the app will also handle all aspects of payment itself. This is done by scanning a QR code on the charger, or by using a ‘Porsche ID Card’ which issued for free to registered users.

By registering payment details with the Charging Services app, the cost for using the selected charging point can be handled by it. Porsche claims this will be of real value when travelling through different countries, avoiding the need to worry about creating new accounts for specific locations or currencies.

Available free to users of both Apple iOS and Android smartphones, currently the app covers users in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Finland. Porsche promises that the app will be expanded to include other countries throughout the course of 2018.

Porsche admits the app can be used by those who own other brands of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. So even if you’re not a Porsche owner, you can at least charge your car as if you are one.

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It’s already vehicle of choice for law enforcement officials across North America, but Ford’s latest Police Interceptor Utility is likely to become even more attractive to those in charge of fleet budgets.

The new 2019 Interceptor Utility, which is based upon the Ford Explorer SUV, now features a standard hybrid powertrain. All-wheel-drive is also standard, with Ford promising that the additional components needed for the hybrid system do not compromise interior packaging.

More importantly, Ford states that the new Interceptor Utility will be even faster than the previous version. The hybrid combination of gasoline engine and battery power is said to give quicker acceleration, and a higher top speed, than the outgoing model. Criminals might be wise to check for ‘hybrid’ badges before deciding to outrun the law.

Potential felons might also have to think twice about hoping pursuing police will run out of fuel. Hybrid efficiency means an estimated increase in fuel efficiency of some 40 percent over the existing 3.7-litre V6 engine.

The new hybrid Interceptor is estimated to save around $3,200 (£2,400) per vehicle in fuel usage compared to the old non-hybrid model. Based upon the substantial number of Interceptor Utility vehicles Ford sold in 2017, when totalled this would equate to an incredible $126 million (£94 million) saving on fuel costs alone.

Hybrid systems in the new Interceptor have been tuned to be suited to police usage, being able to run computers, radios, and lights from the lithium-ion battery alone. Perfect for waiting around to catch crooks in the act.

Adding hybrid technology is not the only big change for the Interceptor Utility, with Ford also proud of the new Perimeter Alert system. This makes use of the Utility’s blind-spot monitoring to scan for threats, and react automatically if one is detected by locking doors, closing windows, and making noise.

Ford increased its share of the police vehicle market in the United States by 5 percent during 2017, claiming a total of 65 percent. Dodge will soon have a new challenger in the shape of the Durango SUV Pursuit model, albeit without the option of hybrid power.

Production of the new Ford Police Interceptor Utility will begin in summer 2019 at Ford’s Chicago Assembly plant.

There is no mention of the Interceptor Utility coming to the UK in the near future, meaning the diesel Vauxhall Astra is likely to remain King of the police fleet on this side of the Atlantic for now.

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Following on from the revised regular Mustang, Ford has revealed the even higher-performance version wearing the famous Shelby badge.

Despite the American muscle car arms race seeing engine outputs increase ever higher, Ford has resisted entering into the horsepower contest with the GT350. This Shelby is all about maximising ability on the race track. Plus, the Blue Oval is already working on a GT500 version which should deliver the big power numbers.

Ford has made use of the current Mustang in a variety of sports car championships, including creating a bespoke GT4 version of the Shelby. This has helped the company learn how to improve the road-going version. Ford has worked with World Endurance Championship driver Billy Johnson to refine the GT350.

Aerodynamic performance has been the focus of attention. Ford has subjected the Shelby GT350 to countless hours of wind tunnel testing. The result is a revised rear spoiler, with an additional optional Gurney flap, helping deliver more downforce to stick the Shelby to the track.

Helping traction further are new tyres created through close work with Michelin. The new Pilot Sport 2 Cup tyres feature a bespoke tread pattern developed specifically for the GT350. Said to improve stiffness, Ford says they also complement the new 19-inch alloy wheels.

Substantial Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers at the front, and four-piston calipers at the rear, have been tuned to improve stopping power. On-track testing has helped improve brake balance, and also sees tweaks to the stability control system. Recalibrated settings for the suspension springs and dampers are also part of the package.

With a revised interior featuring new carbon fibre trim, and a wider range of colours for the exterior, the 5.2-litre engine is about the only part of the GT350 left untouched. Still, an output of 526hp and 429lb-ft of torque are hardly figures to complain about.

Despite the current generation Mustang being produced in right-hand-drive, and sold here in the UK, Ford has made no mention of the Shelby GT350 making the journey across the Atlantic. American buyers will be able to get their hands on the new car from early 2019.

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Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport has ordered Mercedes-Benz to recall 238,000 diesel cars over concerns they may be fitted with ‘defeat devices’ to pass emissions tests.

The announcement followed discussions between Andreas Scheur, Minister of Transport, and Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche. Mercedes-Benz has denied any use of specific software designed to manipulate vehicle emissions.

Despite this, the Transport Ministry announced that Mercedes-Benz would be made to recall the vehicles with immediate effect. The models affected include the GLC compact SUV and the C-Class saloon – both fitted with the 220d engine. The Vito series of vans is also believed to be involved. 

The 2.1-litre turbodiesel ‘OM651’ unit is offered in a variety of power outputs, and was initially developed to meet Euro 5 emissions standards.

Later revisions were intended to make the engine pass the more stringent Euro 6 regulations, with a specific focus on reducing particulates. This involved the use of the ‘AdBlue’ system of injecting diesel exhaust fluid to reduce NOx emissions. 

Whilst the initial recall is limited solely to Germany at present, there is the potential for it to be made European-wide. Estimates suggest that this could involve more than 770,000 vehicles if extended further. 

European Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska is one official calling for the recall to be taken beyond Germany:

Germany orders 230k recalls for #Daimler cars. Full support for @AndiScheuer actions. We need mandatory recalls in all 28EU Member States. Other countries should follow quickly https://t.co/a3P6qJbnTp

— Elżbieta Bieńkowska (@EBienkowskaEU) June 11, 2018

A recall is seen by industry experts as a move to avoid further action being taken against Mercedes-Benz. Substantial fines have previously been threatened against the firm, with the cost of a recall potentially less expensive. 

The number of vehicles involved is smaller than that implicated in the Volkswagen dieselgate scandal, but suggests that the issue of diesel emissions testing is not going away in the immediate future.

This Mercedes-Benz recall comes just days after results of the new ‘TRUE Rating’ for emissions testing were published. The real-world testing found that almost every new diesel engine failed to meet the required levels for NOx particulates.

Following news of the announcement, Mercedes-Benz has made only a short statement through parent company Daimler AG to confirm that the recall will take place.

Our statement from today’s meeting between #Daimler and the Federal Ministry of Transport: Daimler confirms the recall. Open legal questions will be clarified in the objection proceedings. #Diesel pic.twitter.com/e3JJa1fkcD

— Daimler Truck (@DaimlerTruck) June 11, 2018

Motorists are being misled about exactly what the latest driver assist technology is capable of, sometimes with dangerous consequences, warns Thatcham Research. It’s thus calling for car makers to think again how they use the word ‘autonomous’ in describing the tech.

The organisation says that today’s systems are assisted driving technologies, not fully autonomous systems. They are “still in their infancy and not as robust or as capable as they are declared to be” – despite car makers using “misleading” names such as Autopilot and ProPilot.

The problem comes where cars can take over some of the driving tasks, such as running and steering within lanes on motorways. The danger is that “the motorist may not be sufficiently aware that they are still required to take back control in problematic circumstances,” said Thatcham’s head of research Matthew Avery.

“Fully automated vehicles, that can take over the driving task from A to B with no need for driver involvement whatsoever, won’t be available for many years to come. Until then, drivers remain criminally liable for the safe use of their cars… [so] the capability of current road vehicle technologies must not be oversold.”

Thatcham Research has now outlined these dangerous grey areas in a new publication, called ‘Assisted and Automated Driving Definition and Assessment’. Later this summer, it will conduct a round of tests assessing six cars to a new ‘Assisted driving’ consumer testing programme.

‘Deeply unhelpful’

Avery blamed car makers for how they name and describe such systems. “Names like Autopilot or ProPilot are deeply unhelpful, as they infer the car can do a lot more than it can.

“Absolute clarity is needed, to help drivers understand when and how these technologies are designed to work, and that they should always remain engaged in the driving task.”

Thatcham Research wants it to be made clear today’s systems are ‘assisted driving’ technologies, not ‘autonomous driving’ functions. “The use of the word autonomous in carmaker marketing and literature is lulling drivers into a false sense of security.

“These are not autonomous systems.”

James Dalton from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) backed this up. “We are a long way from fully autonomous cars… it remains crucial that all drivers are alert and ready to take back full control at a moment’s notice.

“Manufacturers must be responsible in how they describe and name what their vehicles can do, and the insurance industry is ready to hold them to account on this.”

Thatcham Research has illustrated the dangers in a new video, showing the dangers of over-reliance on the technology with a Tesla Model S.

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Catching a glimpse of even one movie car in the wild is rare enough, but imagine pulling around a semi on your Monday morning commute and seeing seven.

In the world’s greatest bit of #carspotting ever, Twitter user @dartvindican posted a video of what he reckons is “The greatest truck in the world,” a magic car carrier loaded with seven iconic movie vehicles.

There’s the Ecto-1 from “Ghostbusters,” a Tim Burton-era Batmobile, a Ford Explorer and Jeep Wrangler from “Jurassic Park,” the “Back to the Future” DeLorean, the motorcycle and sidecar from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” and Herbie the Love Bug.

“The best truck you will see in your life,” is the translation from the tweet. A bold claim, but who are we to argue? A look at the number of likes and retweets suggests plenty fully agree with it.

Based on his twitter handle, we imagine @dartvindican was more excited than most.

El mejor camión que verás en tu vida. pic.twitter.com/B0C0EpPY3c

— Lord Darth Vindican??✌?? (@darthvindican) June 10, 2018

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