Falsified Data, Tesla Settlement, Ferrari Fire, BMW Auto Reverse, Corvette Revenge, And Fast Fails

Today on PND…
• Subaru Admitted It Falsified Safety Data
• After Lawsuit With Government, Elon Musk Resigns As Chairman
• A Ferrari 458 Burst In To Flames Outside Mall
• The New BMW 3-Series Can Drive Itself In Reverse
• A Woman Who Took Out Her Anger On A Corvette
• And Top 5 Fast Fails: Subaru Edition

Falsified Subaru Data
Subaru is in hot water after admitting it falsified data relating to safety standards and procedures. Brake and steering tests were either enhanced or falsified but the automaker won’t recall affected vehicles. It’s reported that testers applied the rear brakes AND parking brake while testing which illegally enhances performance. If a car’s tires didn’t turn in accordance with company standards, the inspectors would use their hands to shove the tires (or the body) so that they met standards. The automaker also used incorrect data in exhaust level and fuel efficiency testing. President Tomomi Nakamura apologized for damaging customer trust but said no safety problems have been reported yet. Stay tuned for further information.

Tesla Settlement
Last week, Elon Musk was sued by the SEC for fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit against Tesla CEO Elon Musk for alleged securities fraud, calling his previous tweets about having the “funding secured” to take Tesla private a “series of false and misleading statements.” The SEC alleged that Elon Musk chose a $420 price for possibly taking Tesla private because it is a marijuana culture reference that would “amuse” his girlfriend. However, Musk settled instead of going to court and has been ordered to pay a $20 million fine and resign as Tesla’s board chairman for a minimum of 3 years. He will, however, keep his title as CEO. Tesla must also pay an additional $20 million fine for failing to censor Musk’s tweet.

Ferrari Fire
This one is odd. A Ferrari 458 burst into flames outside the Ferrari Store in Miami mall. It’s sitting under the overhang, presumably waiting for someone in the mall or letting someone out, when you see flames shoot out from all sides! The fire is officially being investigated since it’s not known what caused the fire. Authorities do, however, think some sort of mechanical issue is to blame. Emergency responders got there quickly and nobody was hurt but this isn’t the first supercar that’s caught fire.

BMW Autonomous Reverse
The BMW 3-series is the automaker’s 2nd best-selling vehicle in the US behind the X3 SUV. And the 2019 model is the first re-design since 2012. It will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show and will be available in 330i and M340i trim levels, the former with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo with 255 horsepower and the latter powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6-cylinder putting out 382 horsepower. The downside? No manual option. The upside? This car can parallel and perpendicular park for you along with being able to reverse itself autonomously for you. By using back-up assistant that records your steering inputs under 22mph and recreating the movements it can reverse on its own for up to 50 yards. The car starts at $41,245.

Beaten Corvette
Someone did something that made this woman extremely unhapy. We’re not sure if they cheated, stole, who knows. But the poor Corvette got the brunt of her anger. This woman was caught by presumably her neighbors as she goes to town slamming a golf club into the Corvette. Let us know what you think he (or she) did!
Video from Texas Drag Racing Official