June 30th Throttle 🏎️💨

What’s up Throttle Heads 😎 Welcome back to another newsletter after what has been a very long hiatus. But I promise it will be worth it. We will be dropping a newsletter for you now every Monday.

The Mercedes GT-XX Is A Production Ready Concept Car

At first glance, the GT XX might look like a wild concept, but beneath its sleek, low‑slung shell—with a real VIN visible—is the ground‑up architecture of AMG’s upcoming EV super‑saloon. Its tri‑motor setup delivers a staggering 1,340 horsepower and is said to hit over 220 mph  . The rear car houses two axial‑flux motors and an innovative oil‑cooled battery pack built on AMG.EA architecture, while a single axial‑flux motor up front engages only when needed for added grip or regen  . Built with motors 67% smaller and lighter than traditional units and powered by over‑800 V, silicon‑carbide electronics, this setup isn’t just about peak speed—it’s about sustained performance. AMG even says the GT XX can handle “three flat‑out laps” of the Nürburgring without breaking a sweat  .

Beyond raw power, the GT XX is packed with next‑gen innovations: dynamic aero wheels that adjust to cool brakes or cut drag, headlight‑integrated speakers, programmable rear LED lighting, and sustainable materials made from recycled GT rubber and bacterial‑derived proteins  . The bespoke 3,000‑cell NCMA silicon‑anode battery—with oil immersion cooling—supports ultra‑fast charging at up to 850 kW, promising 250 miles of range in just five minutes when paired with AMG’s forthcoming high‑power chargers  . And for those missing the roar of a V‑8, AMG crafted a visceral, artificial V‑8 soundtrack through the audio system to replicate the emotional punch of exhaust notes  .

This isn’t just showmanship—it’s a manifesto for the EV era of performance. The GT XX proves electric vehicles can deliver monstrous power, sustained track bravado, sustainable luxury, and emotional engagement, all while setting the stage for AMG’s next‑gen halo EV launching in 2026.

Stick Around: BMW Says Manuals Might Just Live On

Good news, gearheads: your left foot still has a future! In a world where EVs hum silently and automatic transmissions dominate, BMW M is dangling a glorious carrot for manual transmission fans. According to Sylvia Neubauer, BMW M’s VP of Brand and Sales, the beloved stick shift might survive in future M cars—if the engineers can make it work. Current G87 M2s, along with the manual M3 and M4, are safe for now, and BMW is open to keeping the clutch alive in the next-gen G84 gas-powered models for markets that still know what a rev match is. That means we could see manuals sticking around (pun intended) through at least 2029. No, you won’t find a shifter in BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse EVs—but we’ll happily take what we can get.

This feels like BMW giving us one last joyride before AI takes the wheel. It’s as if the brand said, “We won’t stop you from shifting gears… yet.” Sure, it might also be a clever nudge to scoop up a stick while you still can, but we’re not complaining. In a world where synthetic engine sounds and touchscreen-only dashboards are becoming the norm, the idea of a fresh manual M car is basically automotive comfort food. So take a victory lap, manual fans—BMW hasn’t pulled the plug on your driving joy just yet.

AMG Listens To Customers Ditching Hybrid’s For V-8s’

Here’s some fantastic news for AMG purists: Mercedes‑AMG has admitted that its clever but soulless turbo‑four plug‑in hybrid—used in the C63 and other models—“failed to resonate with our traditional customers” and will be phased out in favor of richer inline‑six and V‑8 hybrid powertrains  . Despite packing a wicked 671 hp punch, this lightweight wonder couldn’t replace the emotional growl and weighty charm of larger engines. So, AMG is acknowledging what many of us already felt: sometimes, bigger is better.

But don’t worry—it’s not a step back into the past. AMG plans to upsizer to six‑cylinder hybrids and even tease a new flat‑plane crank V‑8 later this decade—just in time for the Euro 7 emissions push  . That means future C‑class and GLC‑based AMG models will swipe back some of that visceral punch while keeping hybrid/sustainability credentials intact. In AMG-speak, this is a “dual‑pillar” approach: one foot in electrified future, the other stomping deep in combustion joy.

This means we are getting the best of both worlds: the thrill of bigger engines—with that unmistakable bark—plus the traction, boost and emissions help of modern hybrids. AMG is finally realizing that you can’t fake potency with tech alone: you feel it. So here’s to AMG getting its swagger—and cylinders—back. The V‑8 may yet roar again. And that? Is something truly worth celebrating.

Carmakers To Apple: Hands Off The Dashboard

Apple recently unveiled CarPlay Ultra, a supercharged version of its in-car interface that doesn’t just handle music and maps—it wants to take over your whole dashboard, from climate controls to the speedometer. But luxury automakers are hitting the brakes. Brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, and Renault are saying “thanks, but no thanks,” choosing to stick with their own infotainment systems rather than hand over the digital keys to Cupertino. Only Aston Martin has fully embraced CarPlay Ultra so far, while Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are still mulling it over. Porsche is taking the diplomatic “we’ll see” approach.

Why the cold shoulder? Two words: control and cash. Automakers have invested heavily in their own tech ecosystems and aren’t eager to let Apple plaster iOS across their high-end interiors—or siphon off valuable customer data and potential subscription revenue in the process. It’s a bit like inviting Apple to DJ your road trip, only to find them trying to drive the car, change the seats, and reroute your entire destination. Sure, CarPlay Ultra looks slick, but for these brands, it’s about keeping their digital identity—and business model—intact. So while Apple might be used to dominating screens, the car world is making it clear: not every dashboard is up for grabs.

EV Infrastructure Challenge Blocked By Court Ruling

A federal judge in Seattle has blocked the Trump administration from withholding approximately $5 billion earmarked for electric-vehicle charging infrastructure under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin issued a preliminary injunction on June 24, ordering that funds previously awarded to 14 states be released as planned. She found that the pause—initiated in February by the Department of Transportation—likely exceeded executive authority  .

The injunction excludes Washington, D.C., Minnesota, and Vermont, as those jurisdictions didn’t present sufficient evidence of immediate impact. It’s set to take effect by July 1 or 2, unless the administration appeals. The judge emphasized the importance of respecting Congress’s “power of the purse,” and noted that the pause has created uncertainty, delaying ongoing charging station projects  . The Department of Transportation had cited a need to revise program guidance, but the judge ruled that such a review doesn’t legally justify halting already committed funds.

In practical terms, EV charging projects in the 14 affected states can now proceed without disruption, pending any appeal. This decision reinforces the idea that previously allocated infrastructure funding must move forward unless legitimately redirected by Congress or law.