Not Like This: We Love Two-Tone Color Options, but the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Can Do Better

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The new 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS will debut later this year. However, this new Mercedes-Benz EV sedan model is somewhat controversial in terms of exterior design, as the model will feature a two-tone color option. Read on to learn more about this two-tone color option, how it stacks up against other two-tone options on the market and more details on the brand-new EQS.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS two-tone color option

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan | MBUSA

The Mercedes-Benz EQS will offer a limited edition two-tone color palette within the first year of production. According to CNET, it comes with one option: Cirrus Silver/Obsidian Black, which will only come on 50 cars. Another limited edition option is the Twilight Blue shade, which will come on 250 cars. Twilight Blue is just a single-tone color option, however.

Comparison to other two-tone color options on the market

Compared to other two-tone color options on the market today, the Mercedes-Benz EQS certainly stands out, and not necessarily in a good way. Its gray and black external color scheme is about half-and-half, with the top part being black and the rest of it being gray. While this would ordinarily provide good contrast, it doesn’t compare to other two-tone options.

Two-tone options usually take a more subtle approach and tend to have better reception among audiences. According to Shop All Cars, one of the models that made their list of the best two-tone SUV options is the 2020 Hyundai Kona, which features a contrasting roof. Another option, the 2020 Jeep Compass, comes in various colors and offers a black roof and black trimming. So, for most two-tone color options, the second tone is typically used as an accent color rather than taking up half the vehicle.

Another unfortunate factor differentiating the two-tone color option on the EQS is the lack of customizability. Most vehicles offering two-tone models will have various color options for both the body and accent color. Meanwhile, even if you get one of the 50 first edition models, there are no options to change the gray and black color scheme. So, if you don’t favor contrasting colors, chances are you won’t like the light gray against the black, and there’s no way to change it to a more subtle option. 

Details on the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS

The Mercedes-Benz EQS will be the first fully electric model in their Mercedes-EQ series. The luxury electric sedan will be offered in two models: the EQS 450+ and the EQS 580 4MATIC. The latter is more technically powerful, with 516 horsepower, while the former is only rated at 329 horsepower. Both models will allow for over-the-air updates (OTA), which is the first Mercedes model to do so. Some additional features will be locked behind a paywall, forcing users to pay for features upfront or pay a recurring subscription fee. So far, there is little information on what subscriptions or paid features it will offer in the future.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS also comes with driver assistance technology, which will add some features designed to make driving easier and more convenient. Among these are its lane-keeping assistance technology, which will warn the driver if they’re about to veer into another lane. It also tracks the driver and warns them if they’re about to fall asleep, which will hopefully counter sleep-related driving accidents. Additionally, the EQS has steering assistance and automatic acceleration and braking. These features will still require full driver supervision since, at the moment, fully autonomous cars do not exist.

In the future, Mercedes-Benz has grand plans for reducing its carbon footprint, as it plans on having completely carbon-neutral cars. The company calls this its Ambition 2039 initiative, according to Mercedes-Benz. Included in this is having at least half of their cars use electric power in some way by 2030, whether as a hybrid or a fully electric model. The company has already begun this process of increased sustainability through the new EQS, which Mercedes claims uses carbon-neutral production and carpets made from recycled yarn.

RELATED: Massive Touchscreens Characterize the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Interior

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Mysterious, Extremely Rare EV That Survived Government Hit Found on Facebook for $850

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As many now know, early efforts to figure out how to make a useable electric car were maliciously thwarted to keep the oil industry in power for just a bit longer. The GM EV1 – one of the earliest production EVs – was systematically rounded up and destroyed in the early 2000s. It turns out the EV1 wasn’t the only EV that got sold and then quickly recalled and destroyed. The Mysterious and Extremely rare 2006 Zap Xebra met a similar fate, at least, all but one that was recently found on Facebook Marketplace for $850. 

2006 Zap Xebra | Facebook Marketplace

The Zap Xebra is a rare and mysterious EV

The EV marketplace has changed a bit since 2006. What once was a segment ruled by shadowy figures constantly introducing and then quickly destroying low-volume, mysterious cars is now a quickly-growing, mainstream market full of promise. 

The Drive reports that one of these low-volume mysterious early EVs just turned up on Facebook marketplace even though the government attempted to hunt down and destroy every one of them. The fugitive in question is a 2006 Zap Xebra. 

What is a Zap Xebra? 

side/rear view of a three-wheeled electric car
2006 Zap Xebra | Facebook Marketplace

The Zap Xebra is a strange little three-wheeled EV that few drivers ever got the misfortune of experiencing. Not only was Xebra on the earlier end of EVs it was also a painfully low-quality machine that only had three wheels. The three-wheeler is an idea that many in the automotive world have tried, and all have failed. It simply doesn’t work if you still want to be alive after you drive it. 

Aside from missing a wheel, the Zap Xebra was made so poorly that some aspects of it were actually kind of funny. The Drive mentions hooks still attached to the frames after painting and jagged bodywork finished with tin snips. So, in 2013, when federal regulators mandated that all 691 Xebra vehicles be bought back by the company in the wake of intractable braking issues, this didn’t shock many owners. 

How did this one escape the crusher? 

Zap was ordered to pay $3100 to owners and destroy the vehicles as part of the ruling. Sound familiar? However, just because the government ruled them all to be crushed, not all of them met their boxy end. The NHTSA website notes that complaints suggest that Zap and the government weren’t overly thorough in their search to destroy all the little Xebras. 

How much is this rare EV worth? 

The interior of a 2006 Zap Xebra
2006 Zap Xebra | Facebook Marketplace

That is a good question, indeed. It’s important to note that although this car is super rare, it isn’t necessarily valuable. The same braking issues that lead to the model’s demise are likely even worse with this example than ever before. 

The Facebook marketplace listing has plenty of photos of the decrepit little three-wheeler. Despite its low quality, it has still seen better days. The center console has been removed, the interior is covered in trash and debris, and the car is in no way capable of running and/or driving. Not that it was ever really capable of running, considering it topped at 40 mph and only 40 miles of range. The little Xebra was powered by six 12V lead-acid batteries. 

This raggedy little EV needs the works. If anyone is thinking of snatching up the cheap three-wheeler, just understand the can of worms likely to be opened. Either way, this little bigger is a super cool link in the EV evolutionary chain. Though we don’t recommend anyone tries to drive this thing, it would likely be a decent investment for the future or at least a fun conversation piece. 

RELATED: Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder In Star Wars Was Based On This Strange Little Car

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The Best SUVs for Road Trips

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you love road trips and you have a family or just need a lot of space, you’ll want to know what the best SUVs for road trips are. The best SUVs for road trips have plenty of space, are safe (you can check out IIHS and NHTSA ratings), and require little maintenance. Here are five of the best SUVs for a road trip.  

2021 Hyundai Palisade | Hyundai

5. The 2021 Honda Pilot is one of the best SUVs for road trips

The 2021 Honda Pilot is the best midsize three-row SUV, according to Consumer Reports. Forbes says it has a spacious cabin and plenty of tech. Still, the IIHS and NHTSA give it somewhat mixed safety ratings.

4. The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse is a large midsize SUV

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse  is a great choice for road trips because it’s one of the biggest midsize SUVs you can buy. There’s plenty of room to sit as well as to store your luggage. It comes with a great infotainment system including Apple CarPlay and a WiFi hot spot. 

The Traverse also wins an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. This means that it’s met a certain amount of safety standards. To be awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, an SUV must score a good rating in all IIHS crash test ratings. It also must have an advanced or superior in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests. Headlights must have a good or acceptable rating available. Oftentimes one trim level has good headlight ratings while another trim level does not, so it’s important to check the test results of the trim level you’re considering purchasing.  

3. The 2021 Kia Telluride has a touch of luxury

The 2021 Kia Telluride is pretty similar to the Hyundai Palisade. They’re built on the same platform, meaning mechanically they’re basically the same. It has loads of safety equipment and plenty of room. The Telluride also wins an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It has a luxurious feel which is sure to impress you initially and keep you feeling like you’re on vacation long after you’ve bought it. 

2. The 2021 Ford Explorer has loads of safety features

The 2021 Ford Explorer has tons of space and headspace. Even the second row has plenty of room, which is great for kids who may want to stretch their legs while watching movies. The third row isn’t quite as spacious, but the Explorer does come with a host of safety features. 

The IIHS gives the 2021 Ford Explorer its highest honor: a Top Safety Pick+ award. This is similar to the Top Safety Pick award, but the vehicle has to ace all of the tests. Additionally, the headlights on all trim levels must be good or acceptable. 

1. The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is the best SUV for road trips

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is a spacious three-row SUV with plenty of USB ports to charge devices. Similar to the Explorer, the first two rows have lots of space, while the third row is somewhat smaller, but still decent. 

The Palisade also wins an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, so it’s passed safety tests with flying colors.

RELATED: What’s Behind the 2021 Kia Telluride’s Almost Perfect Consumer Reports Road Test Score?

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Valentino Rossi Retires From MotoGP

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In nearly every sport, there comes a time when the athlete faces the inevitability of retirement. Whether it’s an issue of age or an overall loss of competitive advantage because of health, sporting legends know when it’s time to bow out of the game. Valentino Rossi is known for his passion for motorcycle models, racing prowess, and championship status in the sport for years. However, Rossi recently announced that he’s bidding a fond farewell to motorcycle racing, with the 2021 season being his last as an official track contender.

The long and prosperous career of Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi of MotoGP | Steve Wobser/Getty Images

Cycle World says Valentino Rossi is the greatest racer of a generation and maybe of all time. The Italian motorcycle rider didn’t just win races, though. He made a pretty big name for himself as a cheerful and lighthearted rival to other well-known racers, including Sete Gibernau and Max Biaggi. His now-famous number 46 is an honor to his father since it’s the number his father wore throughout his own motorcycle racing career. So, racing, some might say, is in his blood. Rossi also personified an entertaining style that fans loved, and it certainly didn’t hurt that he continued to win so many races. 

Biz News Post shares Valentino Rossi’s successes, including winning nine world championships, seven of which were in the premier class. It’s one of the reasons fans amicably refer to him as “the GOAT” (greatest of all time.) Furthermore, he’s the only motorcycle rider to have won in the 500cc, 250cc, and 125cc segments, claiming seven 500cc World Championships. According to Road Racing World, Rossi’s career spanned over the last 26 years and resulted in 235 total podium finishes for his performance on two wheels.

What made Valentino Rossi so successful?

Valentino Rossi loves motorcycles and teamed up with the best team members over the span of his nearly 30-year career of riding. Rossi and his crew chief Jeremy Burgess have made genius use of trackside data to achieve a winning advantage. Analysts studying motorcycle racing dynamics say the easier a bike is to ride, the faster the rider can complete laps. It’s just that simple. For those watching Rossi over the years, leading the pack with confidence and ease, it’s clear the team learned how to maximize the data to control and prevent sliding, tipping, and spinning on the track, helping contribute the arsenal of wins. Lastly, Rossi brought plenty of his own motorcycle racing skills to the table, too.

His retirement from MotoGP

Valentino Rossi is calling it quits and stepping out of motorcycle racing altogether after this year. In a press conference, the 42-year-old said, “unfortunately, this will be my last season,” and discussed his sadness in walking away from such a fun and significant part of his life. Rossi plans to finish out his year with the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team.

So, what does a guy like Valentino Rossi plan to do with his free time after retiring? He plans to race cars, of course! He may even be in a car on the track by 2022. Additionally, while Rossi won’t be racing motorcycles himself, he’s not done with the sport entirely. Sources including MotoGP suggest he plans to remain involved with his new Aramco Racing Team VR46 to compete in the MotoGP World Championship for 2022, with a recently signed three-year contract with Ducati. So, Rossi fans will likely still get to see him, just not on the back of the motorcycle racing for the lead.

After this season, fans are sad to hear that Valentino Rossi won’t be taking the podium as a Championship motorcycle rider. However, with as much passion for the sport and racing, it’s not likely that a vibrant personality like Rossi will ever fade out of the public eye.

RELATED: No Matter the Bike, Nothing Stops Patricia Fernandez From Racing

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