What If Your Electronic Brakes Fail?

Brake-by-wire isn’t some sci-fi fantasy anymore. It’s already here, with plenty of new cars ditching old-school cables and rods for sensors, computers, and electronic gizmos. Instead of a direct link between your foot and the brakes, the car now reads your pedal press and decides how hard to clamp down –  all through electronics.

However, this approach also raises an important question: What happens when the electronics responsible for stopping your car fail?

Bosch thinks it has a solution. The company just filed a patent for a backup braking system that steps in when the main electronics go on vacation. Basically, it’s an extra safety net that could let you bring your car to a stop even if the usual tech throws in the towel.

CarMoses

Bosch’s Backup Plan Includes a Touchscreen Button

First spotted by CarMoses, the patent describes a system that uses three separate control units. The first and second handle the vehicle’s regular braking operations, while the third continuously monitors them for potential failures.

If the third control unit detects that either of the other units has malfunctioned, it can activate an emergency braking function. It can also notify the driver through visual, audible, or haptic warnings.

What’s particularly interesting is how Bosch proposes allowing the driver to request braking. Rather than relying exclusively on a conventional brake pedal, the system could provide an emergency button through the vehicle’s infotainment touchscreen. Another proposed implementation places the control directly on the steering wheel, where it’s easier to reach without taking your hands off the wheel.

You might even get to control how hard you stop – hold the button for more braking, tap for less. Bosch says you could ease into a stop instead of slamming to a halt, which sounds nice in theory.

This makes the concept different from a conventional automatic emergency braking system, which generally intervenes to avoid or mitigate a collision. Bosch’s proposal instead focuses on giving drivers an alternative braking interface when the regular electronic controls become unavailable.

CarMoses

Could This Actually Appear in Production Cars?

With more brands jumping on the brake-by-wire bandwagon, having a backup brain and a new way to hit the brakes could be a smart move if the electronics ever flake out.

But let’s be real: in a panic, hunting for a virtual brake button on a screen sounds like a recipe for chaos. A button on the steering wheel might make more sense, but it’s still a far cry from stomping on a pedal. For now, this is just a patent, not a promise. Like plenty of wild ideas before it, there’s no guarantee it’ll ever make it into your next car.

German IPO

The Science of Looking Good

Car designs do more than make vehicles look good. They help establish a brand’s identity and can even attract buyers. Stellantis wants to shed light on automotive design with a new podcast in which Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles will explore the design and creative processes behind vehicles through conversations with designers, engineers, executives, and creators.

Gilles joined the company as a designer in 1992 and has held various positions since, including president and CEO of the Dodge brand. He notably led the design of the Chrysler 300, which gave the automaker a luxurious-looking sedan and earned it the nickname “poor man’s Bentley.” The podcast is recorded at the former Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, where Dodge previously manufactured the Viper, another iconic design known for its low-slung silhouette and long hood housing a large-displacement V10 engine.

Stellantis

Turning Sketches Into Stories

Dubbed “Car Concepts with Ralph Gilles,” the podcast aims to cater to different audiences, including car enthusiasts, students, design enthusiasts, and business leaders. Based on the press release, the podcast is intended to explore the human side of automotive development rather than serve as a platform for announcing new models.

For the first season, the guest list includes former Chrysler executive Bob Lutz, automotive personality Cristy Lee, content creator Garrett Reed, and Stellantis designers Scott Krugger and Gilles Vidal. The latter recently presented six concept cars ahead of the Paris Motor Show, including the quirky-looking Fiat Multiplay, which combines elements of a pickup, SUV, and MPV.

Retired Mercedes-Benz design chief Gorden Wagener will also be among the guests, potentially offering insights into luxury-car design, which involves different priorities than designing mass-market vehicles. His participation is particularly interesting given Chrysler’s traditional focus on mainstream buyers, while Maserati serves as Stellantis’ primary luxury brand.

Chrysler

The Weekly Design Pit Stop

“Car Concepts with Ralph Gilles” is available in video format on the Stellantis North America YouTube channel, with heritage and new vehicles providing the backdrop for each conversation. Audio versions are also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, and Audible. The nine-episode first season kicked off on October 29, with new episodes released every Thursday.

For reference, Stellantis owns 14 automotive brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall. With such a diverse portfolio, the podcast has plenty of potential topics to explore. This variety could also help attract a broader audience of automotive enthusiasts.

Dodge

Mitsubishi has confirmed that the all-new Pajero (or Montero as it’s known in some markets) will go on sale in Japan on December 17.

The flagship cross-country SUV is already shaping up to be a success, as the automaker has announced it has received approximately 5,500 pre-orders for the new Pajero from its home market. The number of pre-orders has exceeded Mitsubishi’s target of 4,000 units for the fiscal year 2026 (April 2026 through March 2027).

It Starts at $39,300 in Japan—Very Close to Toyota Land Cruiser 300

Mitsubishi Motors

It does help that the Pajero has a very competitive base price of 6,193,000 yen, the equivalent of $39,300 at the current exchange rate. That’s marginally cheaper than the diesel-powered Toyota Land Cruiser 300, its direct rival.

The all-new Pajero will be available in four trims in Japan: Super Exceed, Exceed, GSR, and GLS. The former two trims are more luxury oriented, while the latter two are more focused on off-road capability.

Mitsubishi

The Japanese market will get a single powertrain—a 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine rated at 201 horsepower at 3,500 rpm and 354 pound-feet of torque from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. Mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode, the engine is said to return a fuel economy of 12.1 km/L on the WLTC cycle, which is the equivalent of 28.5 MPG.

The transmission sends power to all four wheels via the Super Select 4WD-II (SS4-II) system, which allows drivers to select from four modes: 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (full-time 4WD), 4HLc (locked center differential), and 4LLc (locked center differential with low-range gears). According to Mitsubishi, the SS4-II system combines “high off-road capability with excellent on-road handling stability.”

Truck-Based Ladder-Frame Chassis Provides Solid Base for Off-Road Capability

Mitsubishi

The AWD system is integrated into the Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamics control system, which controls driving, cornering and braking.

S-AWC also integrates control of Active Yaw Control (AYC), which uses the front brakes to control torque between the left and right wheels, Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC), which distributes driving force to enhance stability on slippery surfaces, and ABS.

Mitsubishi

The new Pajero offers seven selectable drive modes for specific driving conditions: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock. The Pajero is based on the ladder-frame chassis from the Mitsubishi Triton pickup, which is a great prerequisite for off-road capability.

Models equipped with 20-inch tires (standard on Super Exceed and Exceed trims) offer 9 inches (230 mm) of ground clearance, a 30.4-degree approach angle, a 22.6-degree ramp breakover angle, and a 25.8-degree departure angle.

The new Pajero is already on sale in Thailand and will launch in Australia later this year before expanding to around 100 other international markets. The United States has not been confirmed among those markets, but Mitsubishi previewed a body-on-frame flagship SUV to U.S. dealers under the Montero name. If the Montero does arrive stateside in the coming years it will definitely need a different powertrain to meet U.S. emissions certification.

Mitsubishi

Living On The Edge

In the late 2000s, every car manufacturer thought the best way to boost sales was to shove a new model into every market and vehicle size they could. What happened was that some models sold well initially, but as the market matured and weeded out unnecessary, awkward segments, they eventually killed some cars.

That’s what happened to the Ford Edge; Ford believed it needed a mid-sized crossover slotted between the Escape and the 3-row Explorer. The Edge enjoyed a relatively long run in the U.S. but met its maker back in 2024.

autohome

Living On

However, the Ford Edge nameplate continues in other markets, specifically the major car market of China, where it serves as a premium 3-row SUV/Crossover for the brand. For 2027, Ford will introduce a refreshed version in China with new features and a revitalized look. Autohome published a report saying it got information from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology that the Ford Edge L is getting a host of new features and some exterior design tweaks.

Design-wise, the updated Ford Edge L gets sharper LED headlights integrated with the front grille. The chrome strip and LED DRLs have also been redesigned, and the front bumper now includes side air vents. On the sides, things remain the same, but with 3 new rim size options: 19, 20, or 21 inches. The rear now gets a roof spoiler with an integrated high-mounted brake light, and a rear wiper on the rear window. The taillights retain the continuous design with an embedded Edge logo in the center.

Inside, the 2027 Ford Edge L features a 2+2+3 seating configuration designed to resemble a first-class cabin. The seats include 14-point pneumatic massage and pneumatic leg rests, plus armrest storage. Ford also added handles to the B pillars for easier entry and exit. It also gets new tech features like the SYNC MAX intelligent connectivity system, featuring a built-in 8155 chip, a new UI interface, and CarPlay support.

autohome

ICE and Hybrid

Interestingly, Ford is offering the Edge L in China as a pure gasoline or hybrid vehicle. The ICE version has the standard non-electrified 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which makes a healthy 248 hp. The hybrid version uses the same base gasoline engine but adds a hybrid system for 270 hp. The Edge L also comes in two drive versions: two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive.

autohome

Chevrolet is continuing its strategic push into the law enforcement sector with a first look at the 2027 Chevy Silverado Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV). As police departments across the country increasingly phase out traditional sedans in favor of larger, more capable trucks, this pursuit-rated pickup is heavily positioned as a versatile fleet option. Building directly on the successful foundation established when the 2023 Chevy Silverado PPV was revealed, the 2027 iteration introduces updated front-end styling and heavy-duty interior features specifically engineered to accommodate bulky utility belts and complex radio setups.

The broad transition toward full-size trucks for daily patrol duty allows departments to utilize vehicles fully capable of clearing curbs, safely transporting hundreds of pounds of tactical gear, and withstanding severe daily wear and tear. Equipped with heavy-duty steel wheels, massive 16-inch Brembo brakes, and a standard locking rear differential, the 2027 Silverado PPV is expressly built for demanding municipal use.

Emergency Vehicles

V8 Power and Proven Reliability

While several competing automakers are actively introducing electric options to municipal fleets, Chevrolet is maintaining a strict focus on traditional internal combustion for highway patrol units that require sustained power and rapid refueling capabilities. Specs from a report from GM Authority show that the 2027 Silverado PPV is powered by a robust 5.3-liter V8 engine producing a reliable 355 horsepower. This proven powerplant is mated to a heavy-duty 10-speed automatic transmission and a high-capacity alternator necessary for continuously running emergency lighting and communication equipment over grueling shifts.

Fleet managers heavily prioritize proven, reliable platforms to minimize vehicle downtime. Following highly publicized reports that the some Police Squads are having bad luck with their Dodge Durangos due to unexpected mechanical issues, proven powertrain options remain a major selling point for Chevrolet’s commercial and heavy-duty truck division.

Chevrolet

Pursuit-Rated Performance

To meet strict law enforcement standards, the Silverado PPV utilizes a specially tuned suspension system that noticeably lowers the truck’s ride height for substantially improved high-speed stability. It is officially pursuit-rated by the manufacturer to reach top speeds of 112 mph, having undergone rigorous independent testing to ensure it can safely handle aggressive cornering and extreme braking without excessive brake fade.

This dedicated factory tuning is absolutely essential for officer safety and departmental liability management. In sharp contrast to standard civilian performance models occasionally pressed into service, like this California Camaro cop car that is banned from sport and track modes due to restrictive departmental policy, the Silverado PPV is explicitly engineered and fully warrantied to operate safely at its mechanical limits during active pursuits. By effectively balancing heavy-duty utility with pursuit-rated high-speed stability, the 2027 Silverado PPV provides modern departments with a highly capable, purpose-built patrol option.

Chevrolet