The number of semiconductors in a modern car, from the ignition to the braking system, can exceed a thousand. As the global chip shortage drags on, car makers from General Motors to Tesla find themselves forced to adjust production and rethink the entire supply chain. Illustration/Video: Sharon Shi
Category Archives: Automobiles
Vintage Views: ‘Passione Engadina 2021’ – St. Moritz, Switzerland (Video)
The tenth edition of Passione Engadina has come to an end, presenting an incredible parterre of vintage Italian cars all gathered in the splendid setting of St. Moritz and the Graubünden passes. For this edition, the guest of honour was Ferrari, thanks to the collaboration with Kessel. To celebrate the tenth edition together with Ronnie Kessel, sponsor since the first year, 30 sportscars were admitted to the race, with a separate classification. On the streets of St Moritz and the Engadin, in addition to rare and exceptionally beautiful classic cars, powerful Ferrari sportscars were on display, including two Monza SPs. One car that caught the attention of participants and passers-by was the Kimera EVO37, driven by Luca Betti (former Rally driver and Founder of Kimera Automobili). The public was also able to admire some unique pieces on display in front of the Kulm Hotel in St Moritz, the home of Passione Engadina: a Ferrari 512 M Prototype, a Ferrari 206 S, and a Ferrari 206 SP.
Reviews: GM’s Cadillac Electric Vehicle Shift
General Motors plans to phase out nearly all of its gas and diesel vehicles by 2035. Leading that transition is the first fully electric Cadillac. WSJ’s Mike Colias visited a GM testing site for a ride and an exclusive interview with GM’s President Mark L. Reuss. Photo Illustration: Alexander Hotz
Views: Driving An Audi Formula E FE07 Race Car Through Berlin (Video)
The Audi e-tron FE07 is the thoroughbred fully electric race car from the brand with the four rings, part of the third season with the second generation of Formula E race cars. It carried Audi factory drivers Lucas di Grassi and René Rast in the seventh Formula E season, Audi’s farewell season.
Italian Racing Cars: The ‘1962 Ferrari 268 SP’ (Video)
This 286 SP claims extreme rarity in the Ferrari lineage as one of just six SP racers originally built and one of only two examples originally equipped with the developmental Maranello eight-cylinder engine. Boasting associations with legendary drivers like Lorenzo Bandini, Harry Heuer, Olivier Gendebien, and Ricardo Rodriguez, chassis 0798 was an integral part of Ferrari’s sports prototype development and racing campaign, and it laid the foundational groundwork for the famed Ferrari P cars. It is also no doubt a cornerstone of the 1964 SCCA D Modified Championship. As such, 0798 has been extensively chronicled and photographed in numerous books and articles, including significant coverage in John Godfrey’s authoritative 1990 volume Ferrari Dino SPs as well as a multi-part feature in Cavallino.
Documentary: Building A Porsche 911 (HD Video)
Porsche 911 – the world’s most successful sports car. Its rear-mounted boxer engine and classic styling are unmistakable. It combines sportiness and everyday functionality like no other vehicle. A street-legal race car. For almost 70 years the 911 has stood for sportiness, elegance and quality. The latest version, the Porsche 992, is equipped with almost 400 hp in the basic version and costs almost a quarter of a million euros. In this documentary, racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck takes you through the world of what is perhaps the most famous sports car.
Italian Racing Cars: 1957 Maserati 200 SI (Video)
Introduced in 1955, the Maserati 150, 200, and 250 series of sports racers were geared towards privateer owners, featuring a four-cylinder engine connected to a four-speed, and later five-speed, gearbox.
The 1957 Maserati 200 SI offered here, chassis 2423, was completed on June 13, 1957 and sent by Maserati Corporation of America to Houston. This example has been used sparingly on the road since then, and comes accompanied by an extensive history file and large cache of spare parts, including the original riveted fuel tank and two sets of Borrani wheels. An alluring choice for both collectors and racers alike, this rare and capable 200 SI is eminently eligible for a number of important road rallies, including the Mille Miglia, possibly the world’s greatest vintage motoring event. As an exceptionally desirable Maserati 200 SI with known history from new, 2423 represents a rare opportunity to buy a gorgeous, versatile, and potent 1950s Italian sports racer.
Automobiles: Decline Of The American Convertible
Rising in popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, the convertible car is an automotive American icon. It was a vehicle meant for leisure and fun. Some of the most iconic models throughout history were convertibles, such as the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Mustang. However, in the last few years, convertibles have been slowly declining in popularity. Along with rising prices, American car buyers, especially those with children, value practicality and functionality over looks and leisure, leading their interest towards SUV’s and midsize sedans. In 2021, convertibles make up only 0.46% of new car sales. Can the iconic design stand the test of time?
Analysis: Fixing The EV Charging Bottleneck
Electric-vehicle entrepreneurs are working on the industry’s biggest bottleneck: charging infrastructure. Companies are building more chargers, but it may not be enough to make EVs work for people who can’t plug in at home. Photo illustration: Carlos Waters/WSJ
Travel: The Rental Car Shortage Explained (WSJ)
This summer it’s harder than ever to rent a car in the U.S., especially at popular vacation destinations. To learn what’s behind the spike in rental car prices, WSJ speaks with an industry analyst and WSJ’s Nora Naughton. Photo: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg
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