AUTONEWS

From storms to sensors: How cross-border research with UK partners shapes safer and greener technologies

Since the UK rejoined Horizon Europe in 2024, cross-border research with UK partners has been delivering safer, smarter, more sustainable technologies for everyday life. On a test track in southern Germany, engineers watch as an automated vehicle drives through simulated heavy rain. As the vehicle pushes through sheets of water and poor visibility, researchers are recreating one of the toughest sensing challenges for automated driving.

"Bad weather is one of the situations the car will face, and the car must deal with that," said Professor Werner Huber from the Technical University of Ingolstadt in Germany, home to world-leading testing facilities for autonomous vehicles in both real and virtual environments.

Rain, fog and snow distort the sensor signals that automated vehicles rely on. That undermines safety for both future driverless cars and today's vehicles, which increasingly depend on automated features such as emergency braking and speed control.

Huber's team is part of a project called ROADVIEW. The four-year initiative brings together researchers across Europe, including the United Kingdom, which rejoined the EU's Horizon Europe program for research and innovation on 1 January 2024. The project is working to ensure that vehicles can operate safely in the real world, even under adverse weather conditions.

Among the partners is Professor Valentina Donzella from Queen Mary University of London, who provides specialist expertise in sensor technology.

Donzella studies how sensors collect data, analyzing and modeling how data degrades due to environmental conditions and noise, and how algorithms interpret it. Her work improves the reliability of vehicle perception systems, making automation safer and more trustworthy.

"The problems we are facing are so difficult that even industry cannot face them alone. We really need this kind of collaboration and complementary expertise coming together," she said.

With partners in Sweden, Finland, France, Türkiye and Switzerland, ROADVIEW researchers aim to improve future automated vehicles, and also strengthen current car safety standards.

They hope their findings will help expand the testing of new cars to include adverse weather—potentially reducing accidents and saving lives.

"Horizon Europe is enabling us to tackle the problem in a rigorous way, where we put safety in first place," Huber said.

"If we improve sensor technology and perception, we improve driver assistance systems, and we improve safety systems. That's where the real impact for society is," he added.

In one project with UK partners, researchers test automated vehicles to improve safety. Credit: Maikol Funk Drechsler, THI/CARISSMA, 2025

Building machines that see...Elsewhere in Europe, another international collaboration called NimbleAI is helping teach machines to see like humans. In this case, Horizon Europe is bringing together researchers from eight EU countries, along with several universities in the United Kingdom.

These researchers are working to transform how machines see and interpret the world by developing ultra-efficient, brain-inspired, or "neuromorphic," vision systems.

"Neuromorphic AI is highly interdisciplinary, combining expertise in biology, optics, hardware, software and AI," explained project coordinator Dr. Xabier Iturbe from IKERLAN, a research center that belongs to the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA) and is part of the Mondragon Corporation from Spain.

"Horizon Europe allows us to bring together the real experts on each part of the problem."

At the heart of the project is a new kind of bio‑inspired vision sensor that combines mechanisms from both insect and human vision. It mimics human visual attention, scanning a scene and focusing selectively on the most important details, while also borrowing from compound insect eyes, which achieve 3D perception using remarkably little energy.

Researchers at the University of Manchester contribute leading expertise in neuromorphic computing, developing hardware and algorithms that process information using short electrical "spikes," similar to the way the human brain works, rather than continuous data streams.

In these systems, artificial neurons stay mostly quiet and fire brief pulses only when they need to pass on important information, which cuts energy use.

"What we're trying to do is achieve intelligent processing at a fraction of the energy cost, and that changes what is possible," said Dr. Oliver Rhodes, a lecturer in bio-inspired computing at the University of Manchester.

The technology could improve safety and autonomy in robots, drones, vehicles and smart devices. This will support health care, manufacturing, transport and emergency response.

"Their contribution gave us a boost in moving from a concept toward real system," said Dr. Iturbe. "For us at IKERLAN, this project has been transformative. We have gone from zero to a strong pace of innovation in neuromorphic technology in record time."

Greener medicines, healthier ecosystems...In a very different field, collaboration is reshaping the way medicines are developed and their impact on the environment.

Researchers from six EU countries plus the United Kingdom are working on a project called ETERNAL that focuses on making medicines more sustainable: from greener manufacturing to reducing environmental risks of pharmaceutical residues in soil and water.

Such residues can reach rivers and farmland through wastewater and agricultural practices, potentially affecting wildlife and ecosystems.

By bringing together environmental scientists, engineers and industry partners, ETERNAL is accelerating practical solutions to adopt cleaner manufacturing methods, reducing waste and cutting carbon footprints.

"The UK has a very strong industrial heritage, not only in the pharmaceutical sectors, but across many other industrial fields," said Susana Gómez, senior mechanical engineer from IRIS Technology Solutions in Barcelona. "So the UK partners bring powerful, practical knowledge and know-how to our consortium."

Dr. Sam Harrison from the UK Center for Ecology & Hydrology is modeling how pharmaceuticals move through water and soil, helping to identify risks and create stronger environmental protections.

"Healthy ecosystems matter because they underpin our food systems, our water quality and, ultimately, human well-being," said Dr. Harrison.

ETERNAL researchers are also exploring scientific approaches that reduce reliance on animal testing. By combining knowledge of how drugs behave in the body with environmental modeling, they hope to predict which species are most at risk and design safer medicines from the outset.

ETERNAL is also part of a wider Green Pharmaceuticals cluster that links five EU initiatives working to make medicines more sustainable across their entire life cycle.

Collaboration that changes what is possible...Taken together, these three projects point to the same lesson: complex challenges demand international expertise.

By combining disciplines, industries and perspectives, and drawing on renewed UK participation, Europe can move faster to tackle shared challenges and improve lives.

"This kind of project would be extremely difficult to do alone," said Dr. Iturbe from NimbleAI. "Being able to assemble this team across Europe is what makes ambitious, high-risk ideas possible."

That is why the UK's return to Horizon Europe is a welcome development in the story of EU cross-border cooperation. In the end, one thing is clear: when knowledge crosses borders, science moves forward.

Provided by Horizon: The EU Research & Innovation Magazine

AUTONEWS

2027 Chrysler Pacifica

Chrysler has released official images of the facelifted 2027 Pacifica. The images reveal that the minivan has received a revised front end, which now features boomerang-shaped lights, as well as a two-piece grille design with a thinner upper section. The body panels around the bumper also receive interesting embossed details.

The Pacifica minivan is eleven years old this model year, a virtual antique in the car industry. It's now the brand's only remaining model. (The Chrysler Voyager minivan is a low-budget version of the same vehicle.) Ye olde Pacifica finally gets a refresh for 2027. Bold new styling up front marks a departure from the status quo, but the rest of the van's bodylines seem to remain untouched.

There's also a new logo in the center of the front grille. This is the first production Chrysler to sport the updated emblem design, which debuted on the Halycon concept a few years ago. Here, the logo is illuminated to create a full-width light bar design.

-Infotainment: A modernized cabin is expected with significantly larger screens and the updated Uconnect 5 system.

-Practicality: The patented Stow 'n Go system, which allows the second and third row seats to be folded into the floor, will continue to be the model's exclusive feature.

While we don’t have specific pricing details for the 2027 Pacifica yet, we think that it will continue with the same trim hierarchy. Last year's Select trim came with standard items such as a heated steering wheel, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, second-row sunshades, and 17-inch wheels. If the new base model also comes with those features, we'll recommend it again. No word yet on whether any of these changes will transfer to the Voyager budget version.

We still don’t know if anything has changed under the hood, but with Stellantis recently axing its plug-in-hybrid models, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Pacifica continued on with only its trusty 287-hp 3.6-liter V-6. It might also make use of the 324-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four found in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. Its interior is a mystery, too, but an extra-roomy eight-seat cabin equipped with Chrysler's patented Stow ‘n Go second- and third-row seats is all but guaranteed.

If you're looking for the fuel efficiency that a hybrid minivan can provide, we'd recommend either the Kia Carnival Hybrid or the hybrid-only Toyota Sienna.

There's still a lot that we don’t know about the 2027 Pacifica, but its updated front-end styling is an obvious departure from its previous look. New angular headlights connected by a width-spanning light bar extend vertically down the length of its fascia and bookend a redesigned grille. That's really all that we've seen of the new Pacifica so far, but we'll update this page with new powertrain, interior, and pricing details when they become available.

Confirmed news and design(below):

New Front: The model features a "RoboCop" front design, with inverted "L"-shaped headlights oriented vertically.

Lighting: A full-width light bar connects the headlights, and the new Chrysler logo (based on the Halcyon concept) is now illuminated in the center of the grille.

Body: Images suggest that the side profile and overall body shape remain the same, indicating a deep update of the current platform rather than a 100% new design.

Engine and Performance (below):

End of Plug-in Hybrid: In January 2026, Stellantis discontinued its traditional plug-in hybrid models in North America, meaning the Pacifica Hybrid (PHEV) version has come to an end.

V6 Engine: The 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine with 287 hp should continue as the main option, coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

New turbo engine: There is speculation about the introduction of the Hurricane 2.0 Turbo four-cylinder engine (used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee), which delivers around 324 hp.

Autonews

SUZUKI

Suzuki Swift Hybrid Sakura

The Swift Hybrid Sakura is a special edition inspired by the iconic Japanese cherry blossom. It comes with a unique two-tone Arctic White and Rose Gold finish, as well as Sakura Kanji graphics on the rear pillars.

It is based on the top version with a 1.2-liter mild-hybrid powertrain and automatic transmission, adding exclusive design details inside and out.

Standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, automatic climate control, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Rose Gold accents in the interior.

The defining feature is its exclusive BiColor livery. The base is made of Arctic White Metallic, while the roof and mirror caps are painted Rose Gold Metallic. Instead of being blatantly ornamental, the tone is cozy. Kanji decals reading 桜 appear on the rear pillars, subtle but deliberate references to the model’s Japanese identity.

The proportions remain compact at 3.86 metres in length, consistent with the Swift’s B-segment positioning. Short overhangs, upright glazing and tight surfacing continue to define its stance. The Sakura edition does not alter the architecture; it refines it visually.

Inside, the same chromatic theme carries through. Rose Gold Metallic trim elements appear across the dashboard, door panels and gear console, lifting what is otherwise a familiar Swift layout. The effect is cohesive rather than ornamental.

This top version also comes with a 9-inch touchscreen and a full suite of advanced ADAS safety features for maximum comfort and safety.

Suzuki marks two decades of Swift with the 2026 Suzuki Swift Hybrid Sakura, a special edition derived from the 1.2 Hybrid AT Top specification. The concept is aesthetic rather than mechanical, yet carefully considered. According to Suzuki’s official release, the Sakura edition celebrates the Japanese cherry blossom, a cultural symbol of renewal and refinement.

This edition adds a wireless charging base and a centrally mounted armrest trimmed in higher-grade materials. Equipment levels are positioned above segment norms, reinforcing Swift’s value-focused strategy.

The Sakura builds on the 1.2 Hybrid AT Top version, retaining 16-inch bi-colour alloy wheels, full LED headlamps, privacy glass, automatic climate control, heated front seats and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Mechanically, the 2026 Suzuki Swift Hybrid Sakura retains the 1.2-litre 12V mild hybrid engine producing 81 CV, paired exclusively with an automatic transmission.

Output figures are modest, but consistent with the car’s intended urban emphasis.

Suzuki cites combined WLTP fuel consumption between 4.4 and 4.9 litres per 100 km, depending on specification. CO₂ emissions are rated at 99 g/km in the 2WD manual variant [Inference: Sakura AT figure not separately stated].

Engine efficiency is quoted at 40 percent thermal efficiency, notable within the segment.

The driving profile remains oriented toward city use, yet suitable for secondary roads. Instead of using entirely electrified propulsion, the hybrid system facilitates more seamless stop-start transitions and small efficiency improvements.

ADAS and connectivity package...Swift Hybrid Sakura retains Suzuki’s full suite of advanced driver assistance systems. These include Dual Sensor Brake Support II, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Prevention, Driver Monitoring System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition.

High Beam Assist, Hill Hold Control and eCall are standard, alongside Suzuki Connect smartphone integration. In segment terms, the safety package remains comprehensive.

New Swift Hybrid Special Edition Sakura. The Swift Sakura is enhanced by an exclusive color scheme: the Arctic White Metallic body is paired with an exclusive Rose Gold Metallic roof and mirror caps. The inviting interior features new Rose Gold Metallic trim on the doors, dashboard, and center console. Comfort is enhanced by the standard wireless smartphone charging dock and front armrest.

The Sakura adds wireless charging and a covered center armrest. Under the hood, the 1.2-liter mild hybrid engine with 81 hp and automatic transmission remains unchanged. The Swift Hybrid, 3.86 meters long, boasts combined WLTP fuel consumption between 4.4 and 4.9 l/100 km and emissions starting from 99 g/km (manual 2WD version). 

Driver assistance systems include automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and the Suzuki Connect system. The new Swift Hybrid 1.2 Top At Sakura is priced at €21,950.

With a starting price of €21,950 (in Italy), this efficient 81 hp mild-hybrid with automatic transmission will be available exclusively from mid-April to June 21, 2026.

Autonews

LAMBORGHINI

The dream was short-lived: Lamborghini Lanzador BEV cancelled

Lamborghini showed off the electric Lanzador concept in 2023, with plans to launch a production version in 2028. However, it didn’t take the exotic Italian brand long to realise that high-end buyers would be reluctant to buy a car without an internal combustion engine.

In late 2024, the launch of the model was pushed back to 2029, and now the all-electric Lanzador has been cancelled.

As Motor1 reports, Lamborghini CEO Stefan Winkelmann admitted in an interview with the Sunday Times that the company’s target audience has little desire to switch to electric vehicles, saying that interest in a Lamborghini without a V8 or V12 engine is “close to zero”.

He admits that it took Lamborghini more than a year to decide whether the Lanzador should make it to the production line. After extensive internal debates and meetings with customers and dealers, the company has decided to scrap production.

The 61-year-old executive sees electric vehicles as an “expensive hobby,” requiring significant financial outlay with little return. “Making a big investment in fully developing electric vehicles when the market and customer base are not ready would be an expensive hobby and financially irresponsible to shareholders, customers [and] our employees and their families.”

The Lanzador isn’t completely dead, though. Lamborghini intends to launch a plug-in hybrid version of it with a gasoline engine by the end of the decade.

Similarly, the next-generation Urus won’t be fully electric, and Winkelmann claims Lamborghini “couldn’t take the risk [with the Urus EV]” for fear it wouldn’t sell. Instead, the new Urus, which arrives around the same time as the Lanzador, will retain the plug-in hybrid configuration.

While the EU is pressuring automakers to pursue electric vehicles and decarbonize their offerings, Lamborghini is sticking firmly to the internal combustion engine. Winkelmann argues that electric vehicles fail to provide the "emotional connection" of gasoline-powered cars. Choosing the plug-in hybrid route is seen as the best compromise, satisfying both regulators and customers.

autonews1@yahoo.com answer: Why was the Lamborghini Lanzador canceled?... Lamborghini has canceled the all-electric (BEV) version of the Lanzador, its 2+2 GT concept with raised suspension. The announcement was made by CEO Stephan Winkelmann in February 2026, citing "virtually zero" market demand for purely electric supercars.

Below are the main details about this change of course:

-Pivot to hybrid: The Lanzador model has not been completely scrapped; it will be reconfigured to be launched as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in its first generation.

-Lack of "emotional connection": Winkelmann highlighted that the brand's customers still value the visceral experience, sound, and feedback of internal combustion engines, something that current electric vehicles are not yet able to satisfactorily replicate for this audience.

-Financial decision: Investing heavily in a 100% electric model without market acceptance was described by the CEO as an "expensive hobby" and financially irresponsible towards shareholders and employees.

-Impact on the Urus: The plan to make the next generation of the Urus SUV fully electric in 2029 was also canceled; it will continue to use plug-in hybrid powertrains.

-2030 Strategy: Lamborghini is now focused on having a 100% hybrid lineup by 2030, keeping combustion engines alive for as long as possible.

This decision puts Lamborghini on a path opposite to that of competitors like Ferrari, which maintains plans to reveal its first fully electric model as early as 2026.

Autonews

RENAULT 

Next generation Alpine A110 is electric

Unlike many competitors, Alpine remains determined to become 100% electric. After the A290 and A390, it is preparing to launch the EV successor to the A110 in 2026, which will include some key advantages.

We have already reported that the successor to the A110, Alpine's lightweight and agile two-seater coupé, with shapes reminiscent of the model of the same name that won the first World Rally Championship in 1973, will be replaced by a 100% electric model. Now, the Renault Group's sports brand has decided to release an image of the new A110 EV, still covered, taking the opportunity to share some of the advantages that the new electric coupé will boast.

After being reborn as a vehicle manufacturer in 2017 (the brand ceased production in 1995), with the launch of the gasoline-powered A110, Alpine began its journey towards 100% electric mobility in late 2024, when it launched the A290, based on the Renault 5 E-Tech, followed by the first deliveries of the A390 in late 2025, the electric crossover to compete with the Porsche Macan. For late 2026, Alpine has reserved the start of sales of the A110 EV, the exclusively battery-powered coupé that should be shown to the public for the first time in October at the Paris Motor Show, followed by opening orders and starting deliveries to customers between the last days of 2026 and the first of 2027, at which point the brand will only offer battery-powered electric vehicles.

Interestingly, this won't be the first time Alpine has designed an electric A110, as a battery-powered version, based on the combustion-engine A110, called the E-Ternité, a convertible prototype, already appeared in 2022. The A110 E-Ternité aimed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the A110, but above all it served as a laboratory for the electric A110 that was to come, but without the limitations of having to use a platform designed for combustion engine vehicles (longer front to accommodate a gasoline engine and its respective gearbox).

The E-Ternité used the same 60 kWh battery as a Megane E-Tech, powering a 242 hp motor, all designed so that this first battery-powered A110 weighed only 1378 kg when placed on the scales. This weight, despite being 300 kg heavier than the gasoline version, is very low for an electric model, so as not to compromise agility, both in curves and in acceleration and braking. And, despite the higher weight, the E-Ternité was able to reach 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, exactly the same value claimed by the Alpine A110 with a 1.8 turbo engine with 252 hp.

The next Alpine A110 EV starts by using a specific platform for battery-powered models, not only to have a longer wheelbase to accommodate a more generous battery, but also to optimize handling, which tends to be more effective with the wheels moved to the extremes of the body. The former CEO of the French group, Luca de Meo, assured that the electric sports car, although with a new chassis and body, will adopt shapes similar to those of the current gasoline-powered A110, but probably stylized. He also guaranteed that the two-seater coupe will remain light, at least as light as its gasoline rivals. And, given Alpine's fixation on Porsche, everything suggests that de Meo was thinking of the 718 Cayman which, even in its cheapest version, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and 300 hp, announces a weight of 1410 kg, but with a larger battery than the one installed in the E-Ternité.

To give the electric sports car a more modern look, the round light signature of the current A110 will become hexagonal, with the interior taking on contours quite distinct from the current generation. In terms of mechanics, the A110 EV will inherit some of the solutions developed for the R5 Turbo 3E, starting with offering a version with only one 340 hp rear motor, powered by a 70 kWh battery to keep the weight down, which should still allow for an announced range of around 480 km. Alpine compensates for the lower battery capacity with faster charging, since the A110 EV has an 800V electrical system (instead of the usual 400V), which makes it possible to recharge at 350 kW and in less time. Similar to the R5 Turbo 3E, there will also be a version of the Alpine with two motors and 540 hp, with the aim of not exceeding 1500 kg in weight, to be able to exceed 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds and reach 270 km/h.

2026 is going to be a massive year for Alpine because the A110 – the car the brand has built its name on – is going electric. And Alpine executives are promising that the replacement for the current A110 will still have “soul” and be a worthy rival to Porsche’s upcoming electric Cayman and Boxster.

In a teaser video laying out Alpine’s plans for 2026, the French brand’s boss Philippe Krief said: “The next communication is going to be really fun. With the next generation we will evolve, but keep the original DNA and spirit, the result is just fantastic. Within the first six months of 2026 we will show some really exciting news.”

Both Krief and former Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo – who has now left to head up the Kering fashion empire – have talked in depth to Auto Express about Alpine’s electric replacement for the A110 coupe, revealing a string of technical headlines. 

The electric coupe will ride on a dedicated sports car platform, has a target weight of 1,450kg (close to a Cayman GT4 RS’s), should travel more than 350 miles on a charge, and packs two in-wheel motors that generate “more than enough power – I can guarantee [it],” claimed ex-Ferrari director of engineering Krief.

According to the French press, after competing against the Porsche 718 with the A110 EV, Alpine is expected to go further and launch a larger coupe, with two doors and four seats (or 2+2), based on an extended version of the same platform, the Alpine Performance Platform, to compete with the electric Porsche 911 when it arrives on the market.

The 2028 Alpine A110 will be a 100% electric model; the image above reflects this transition with futuristic design elements:

-Visual identity: It retains the iconic four round headlights, now with ultra-modern LED technology and integrated light signatures.

-Aerodynamics: The body features more fluid and aggressive lines to optimize airflow, essential for electric efficiency.

-Chassis: It is expected to use the new APP (Alpine Performance Platform), focused on maintaining the brand's characteristic lightness.

-Performance: Projections indicate that the electric successor will have an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h close to 3.5 seconds.

by Autonews

 

AUTONEWS

A new way to study how cannabis use impacts safe driving

As marijuana legalization expands across the U.S., it is outpacing research on the impact of cannabis use behind the wheel. Researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) recently spent two years collecting real-world driving data from cannabis users to help fill in the gaps.

Using the patented naturalistic driving study methods, researchers collected 105,000 miles of driving data from 14,700 trips made by drivers ages 21 to 70 between 2021 and 2023. Of these, 9,000 miles involved cannabis use, 1,000 miles involved alcohol use, and 400 miles involved polysubstance use, or more than one drug. The remainder of the miles driven were considered substance free, creating a baseline for each participant.

"Because most studies have not followed a driver over time, that missing piece of how people adapt to driving under that influence is actually covered through this," said Kaitlyn Bedwell, study author and senior research associate at the institute. "Since the effect of cannabis and impairment is so individualized, this study shows use over time and provides an opportunity to look at that full individual window in depth."

The study and initial findings were published in a 2025 report, "Naturalistic Driving Study on Cannabis Use in Washington and Virginia." In addition to the naturalistic driving study data, participants provided 10,081 self-reported substance-use journal entries, which were combined with regular oral swabs to confirm substance use.

Early results from data analysis revealed:

-Time of day patterns: Cannabis-related trips spiked during typical lunch times and in the evening. Fridays were the most popular day of the week for imbibing.

-Behavioral changes: Some participants compensated for substance use by taking different routes, typically choosing to use more rural roads than sober trips.

Bedwell said the first-of-its-kind study's real value lies in its holistic approach, accounting for individual factors that affect driving under the influence of cannabis and providing both qualitative and quantitative measures that connect reported substance use with lab data. She said the framework can be replicated for future research and the sizable, novel database utilized by other researchers to further answer questions about cannabis use and driving performance.

"My takeaway is that I believe people want to know 'am I being safe? Am I keeping other people on the road safe?'" she said. "We've got to use research to provide that clarity."

Bedwell said data from sober trips can provide unique insights. By collecting data on participants when they are not using substances, this study effectively uses participants as their own baselines.

A driver-facing camera on the vehicle’s rearview mirror is part of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s system for collecting driver behavior data in naturalistic driving studies. Credit: Jacob Levin for Virginia Tech

The challenge of measuring cannabis impairment...As of early 2026, 40 U.S. states have legalized either medical or recreational cannabis use. It is illegal to drive while impaired by any substance, but unlike alcohol, cannabis impairment is difficult to quantify.

"There is no equivalent to a breathalyzer for cannabis," Bedwell said. "There's no concrete way to actually say you are impaired while you are driving this vehicle right at this moment."

Alcohol impairment can be measured reliably by blood alcohol content (BAC), and there is a proven relationship between increasing BAC and decreased driving performance.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the chemical in cannabis that causes the mind-altering effects—does not have a standard metric that distinguishes between impaired and unimpaired. THC is fat-soluble and can be detected in a person's system for up to 30 days, long after impairing effects have faded. Individual characteristics such as weight, metabolism, and even frequency of use can all alter how a person processes and is affected by cannabis. THC content in cannabis products also varies widely, ranging from 1% to 30%.

These factors make obtaining accurate crash data and policy development challenging. Bedwell said research in this area has also been slow to catch up and has often delivered conflicting results.

"We need more informed research in order to have informed policy," she said. "To this date, there is still no standard measure for how cannabis use affects impairment in a real-world environment."

VTTI's naturalistic driving research provided a method for overcoming some of these challenges by documenting an individual's behavior while both sober and under the influence over the course of multiple years. Pioneered by VTTI in the 1990s, the method involves installing unobtrusive cameras and sensors in participants' own vehicles to monitor them during daily routines. This allows researchers to have a wealth of information on driving behavior, vehicle information, and traffic scenarios, which can be used to study crash risk.

Bedwell said that the long-term naturalistic driving research study addresses the limitations of studies that use computer driving simulators or short-term studies that study drivers on a closed course.

"It allows for a precise assessment of driving performance in the real world, and that's what's going to capture the real complexity of driving," she said. "If you got this artificial simulation environment, it's got limitations because the participant doesn't face real consequences of crashing or the variability of other drivers."

Provided by Virginia Tech

HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Limited 2026

The Pan America 1250 was the first maxi trail bike in the American brand's century-long history, which over the years has split into two: the ST, a more asphalt-oriented version with 17-inch wheels; and the Special, which maintained the trail essence with which it was conceived.

As expected, Harley-Davidson marketed accessories and kits to meet the aspirations of its passionate fans; and to make life easier for those who want to explore the more off-road side of the Pan America, it created this new fully equipped premium version, based on the Special.

Among the exclusive features of this Limited version are the robust top case and aluminum side cases with a combined capacity of 120 liters. An exhaust guard, an aluminum lower skid plate, and a radiator guard enhance its off-road capabilities; these accessories are sold separately on the standard version.

It also comes standard with the Screamin' Eagle quickshifter, which allows for up and down gear changes without using the clutch lever, and the position of the rear brake and gearshift pedals is fully adjustable to improve rider control and comfort when riding standing up.

The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Limited features the latest version of the liquid-cooled Revolution Max 1250 engine, which delivers 149 hp at 8,750 rpm and 124 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm. This twin-cylinder engine, combined with the electronics, can be configured in nine riding modes, including off-road modes.

Otherwise, all the features of the Pan America 1250 Special are retained, including semi-active front and rear suspension, tubeless spoked wheels, hand guards and heated grips, intelligent lighting technology, automatic bike height adjustment, low position when stopped and higher when in motion.

by Autonews