Thursday? Thirst-day?

Thursday is a good day to share one of our favorite pieces of unsolicited advice: one glass of water today is worth two cups of coffee tomorrow.

Hydration is magic, and so are you!

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SUVs, EVs, Hybrids, and 10-80 Speeds

You know what they say about fixing stuff that isn't broken. Well, sometimes they are wrong. For instance, if your SUVs are selling great, but you also want people to buy copies of your new book of oil stains that look like celebrities, you may toss them in with each of your most popular models. Or maybe you want to sell EVs, so you turn your most popular vehicle into an electric vehicle. It's totally backfire-proof. Totally.

Mercedes

The fully electric Mercedes G-Wagen, rebranded as EQG, now boasts a 116 kWh battery, 432 kW power output, and 1,164 Newton-meters torque, enabling up to 293 miles range (WLTP). Starting at €142,621.50 (about $152,628.54), it offers advanced off-roading features like the G-Turn and retains a luxurious interior.

Lamborghini

The Lamborghini Urus SE, a plug-in hybrid, retains its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 while integrating an 189-hp electric motor, boosting the total power to 789 horsepower and 701 lb-ft torque. It accelerates to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and has a 194 mph top speed. This model features a 25.7-kWh battery providing over 37 miles of electric range.

Subaru

The 2024 Subaru Solterra, priced at $44,995, features enhanced fast charging that powers the battery from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes. It includes Subaru EyeSight® for top-rated safety and introduces three trim levels with upgraded amenities like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and panoramic moonroof in higher trims.

Volvo Q1

Volvo Cars is anticipating strong demand in 2024, even with a slight dip in revenue. The optimism stems from strong EV sales and steady growth in the premium auto sector. Here's a closer look at what's happening with the automaker:

• Volvo's Q1 Performance: Despite a dip in revenue and some financial strain from its Polestar division, Volvo is experiencing robust demand and a notable rise in BEV margins to about 16%.
• Launch of Volvo EX30 in the US: Set at a competitive $35,000, the Volvo EX30 could grab a nice piece of the US electric vehicle market. While $35K is on the affordable end of the spectrum these days, another $7,500 in lease subsidies could push it deeper into US consumer consideration.
• Volvo's Financial Health: Although there was an 8% fall in revenues in the first quarter, Volvo has seen a boost in core operating profits and a 12% increase in retail sales.

Polestar: Auto and Tech

Polestar's recent launch of the Polestar 4 EV in the US and its accompanying smartphone in China underscores a trend where automotive companies are diversifying into personal technology. This integration highlights the evolving synergy between auto manufacturing and tech industries, reflecting the broadening scope of modern automakers.

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Car companies are making phones, phone companies (were) making cars, social media is getting banned, and cars are being given permission to drive (and crash) themselves.

What even is 2024?