Apple CarPlay gets icon boost, EV charging upgrade in iOS 18.4

Image: MacRumors

Apple's recent iOS 18.4 update quietly introduced notable enhancements to CarPlay, offering users with larger infotainment screens an expanded icon layout and improved electric vehicle routing.

MacRumors discovered that iOS 18.4 now displays three rows of app icons on CarPlay for vehicles with larger displays, up from the standard two. This allows for quicker access to more apps, reducing driver distraction. However, this feature appears limited to cars with larger screens, such as the 14-inch display found in the Toyota Tundra and is not visible on smaller displays like the 9-inch screen in a Honda Civic.

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Volvo unveils ES90: 800V EV with 700km range

Photo: Volvo

Volvo unveiled its latest electric vehicle, the ES90, a sedan-fastback-SUV hybrid boasting an 800-volt charging system for faster charging and potentially longer range. The ES90 is the automaker's first EV to feature this advanced charging technology. The 800-volt system, utilizing lighter components, aims to improve efficiency, contributing to the vehicle's impressive projected range.

The ES90 boasts a remarkable driving range of up to 700 kilometres. With a 350kW fast charger, the vehicle can gain 300 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes, and its 106kWh battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in a mere 20 minutes. Performance-wise, all variants achieve a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h), with the Twin Motor Performance version accelerating from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds.

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Mercedes-Benz unifies EV, ICE designs

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is unifying the design of its electric and combustion engine vehicles, a move mirroring BMW's strategy. This "coherent design language" across the lineup aims to boost flagging electric vehicle sales by moving away from distinct EV styling, like the polarizing EQS. Despite a previous EV-only pledge, Mercedes will launch 19 new combustion models alongside 17 EVs by 2027, acknowledging current market demand.  

This shift comes as Mercedes faces declining earnings and plans significant cost cuts. New models this year include the CLA (available as both EV and internal combustion engine), electric GLC and C-Class, and a facelifted S-Class. Mercedes will continue offering a range of engines, including V12s, and will shift some production to lower-cost regions.

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Nissan to reportedly reject Honda's merger terms

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A proposed merger between Nissan and Honda is on the brink of collapse after Nissan supposedly rejected Honda's latest proposal. The initial plan, announced in December, envisioned a combined holding company structure. However, Honda reportedly recently proposed making Nissan a subsidiary, a move deemed unacceptable by Nissan's board.

While both companies claim discussions are continuing, and a decision is expected by mid-February, the rumoured disagreement casts serious doubt on the deal's future. A combined entity would create the world's third-largest automaker, making the potential failure a major setback.

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