In a cell-phone video published by NBC News, a man is shown jumping into a canal and pulling a driver from a sinking Kia Soul. The man successfully rescued the driver, who had suffered a seizure, after cutting the seatbelt. In case you ever find yourself in a sinking car, here’s how to escape. Sometimes […] More

The 18th edition of Car and Driver’s annual Lightning Lap—an event designed to distill a car’s performance at VIR’s challenging 4.1-mile Grand Course—featured 13 production cars and a wide spectrum of price points. The Hyundai Elantra N, with an as-tested price of $35,320, was this year’s least expensive car, while the $729,458 Lamborghini Revuelto cost over 20 times that much. As we compared lap times and prices, which dictate the LL1–LL5 classes, a handful of us decided to spec our ideal version from this year’s roster of track cars.Matthew Skwarczek’s Mazda MX-5 Miata Club (LL1)MazdaMazdaI’m no Lightning Lapper, but in the handful of times I’ve driven on a racetrack, one car has stood out: the ND Mazda Miata. Sure, with 181 hp, it’s certainly not the fastest way around a track. But that’s also what makes it one of, if not the best, ways to learn how to drive effectively on a track. Solid steering, a communicative and forgiving chassis, superb balance, and a sub-2500-pound curb weight certainly don’t hurt, either.For maximum driving fun, I went with the Club trim and its asymmetric limited-slip differential. The $4900 Brembo BBS Recaro package was a no-brainer addition for eponymous reasons. As for the color, while I contend Mazda’s Soul Red is the best color in the business, I miss my 10th Anniversary Edition NB Miata dearly. So, as an homage, I selected Deep Crystal Blue Mica (which also saved me $595).To keep that paint a bit more pristine, I added front and rear splash guards ($180 each). From experience with the NB, I know an overhead light isn’t always enough to spot whatever you’ve dropped. The $380 footwell illumination kit should help with that—and add a bit more subtle style. And though a two-seater convertible won’t ever be truly practical, the $60 cargo net and $225 Weather package’s floor liners and cargo tray do make the Miata a bit more usable. All told, my Miata build comes in at just under $40,000. That’s not exactly cheap, but it’s still less than the average new car these days. And the grin I’ll have as I zoom-zoom around VIR or my local roads will be worth every penny. –Matthew Skwarczek Read About the Miata Club’s LapEric Stafford’s Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (LL3)CadillacCadillacCadillac’s supersedan is a living legend. And since the life expectancy of a V-8-powered new car with three pedals might not be much longer than the 2:47.9 lap it turned at this year’s event, the CT5-V Blackwing is at the top of my wish list. The car that posted that impressive time was fitted with the $18,000 Precision package, which includes carbon-ceramic brakes, grippier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires, and myriad suspension upgrades that helped make it 1.5 seconds faster around VIR than a version we previously lapped without the kit. I love that Cadillac went all-out to make the CT5 even more heroic on a racetrack, but I’d skip that expensive option and focus on making my Blackwing a delightful daily driver that can embarrass pricier sports cars during the occasional track day. I’m a green-paint guy, and the Caddy’s available Typhoon Metallic is my kind of color. It’s only a $625 upcharge, but I think it looks fantastic paired with the $1500 bronze 19-inch wheels (matching brake calipers cost an extra $595 but complete the look). While I think the CT5’s face looked better before the recent refresh, the interior greatly benefits from the new 33-inch dashboard display. I don’t prefer digital gauges over analog ones, but the pre-facelifted car already had a digitized instrument panel, and the overall dash layout didn’t look great. It’s better now, more cohesive. The only interior option I’d choose is the $8090 black-and-tan color scheme. Along with more supportive competition front seats, it includes nicer leather and puts it in more places. This is still a luxury sedan, after all. Since I’m sticking with the standard six-speed manual, I can’t option the hands-free Super Cruise system, which would’ve also cost me $5875, so I’m not mad. Instead, I’d get the $1600 PDR to record and analyze my lap times. That’s it. My ideal CT5-V Blackwing rings up at $109,900. Not bad for a 668-hp four-door with rear-wheel drive and a back seat that won’t make my in-laws think I’m trying to punish them. Although they might get the hint after a few glorious full-throttle runs. –Eric Stafford Read About the CT5-V Blackwing’s LapJack Fitzgerald’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Manthey Racing (LL4)PorschePorscheLook, there’s really only one correct answer here and it’s the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS with the Manthey kit. I’m dealing with hypothetical money, so that means I get to turn my nose up at drivel like the Miata, both Subarus, and both Hyundais. All fine cars any other week, but what I’m after is the wail of Porsche’s eardrum-rattling 4.0-liter flat-six as it crests 9000 rpm. Mine will be coated in the $14,750 Paint to Sample Ultraviolet purple, thank you very much. For $15,640, I’m tacking on a set of silver forged magnesium wheels. Wait, add another $13,250 to my tab because the mag wheels require selecting the Weissach package. A further $2170 is set aside for the Race-Tex and leather interior. Of course, I’ll also be spending $540 for the heated seats. I want a track car, but what kind of monster do you take me for? The $3040 front-axle-lift system is practically a prerequisite for purchase. Seriously, who spends a quarter-million dollars and decides it’s just too much to bear another $3000 for peace of mind? For maximum stopping power, I want the $8000 carbon-ceramic brakes. Certified Porsche dealers charge $53,946 for the Manthey kit, which puts my spec at a cool $279,131. You may think I’m out of my mind, but I think I’ve acted with quite a lot of restraint. However, I’ll need to put money aside for medical bills after the constant abuse of the flat-six’s 106-decibel song. Unfortunately, Porsche’s configurator doesn’t show the Manthey kit, so you’ll have to use your imagination to see the bitchin’ aero mods—or you can check out Dave Beard’s flying lap. –Jack FitzgeraldRead About the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’s LapCarter Fry’s Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (LL4)PorschePorscheIt is always a pleasure to use Porsche’s online configurator. “Here, pick from almost every color we’ve ever offered on our cars!” says Porsche. I understand why most manufacturers don’t usually offer as many colors as possible (rest in peace Mk 7 Golf Spektrum paint colors), but I certainly wish they would. For my Taycan Turbo GT build, I went straight to the Paint to Sample colors. The Purple Sky Metallic is free and tempting, but I couldn’t help myself. Speed Yellow ($13,150) is my choice, and I kept the 21-inch Turbo GT wheels but painted them Brilliant Silver for $1290. I painted the side mirrors Speed Yellow ($650) and the model designation on the rear the same hue ($270) then added the illuminated Porsche logo on the light strip for $460. I slapped on the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes for an even $900 and put a bow on my performance upgrades. I gave this car the GT interior with accents in GT Silver for $2020, which includes heated rear seats. Score! Those heating elements might add unnecessary weight, but, hey, it’s either that or cold passengers. I’ll take the former. The Porsche Design Subsecond Clock is an $1120 addition, the fixed panoramic roof adds $1540, and the head-up display is $1670. However, the most important option of all, the Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System, cost me $5810. That brings the total price of my Porsche Taycan Turbo GT to $260,885, so it looks like I’m gonna need to win the lottery. –Carter FryRead About the Taycan Turbo GT’s LapMason Cordell’s McLaren Artura Spider (LL5)McLarenMcLarenI love playing around with car configurators. It’s what got me through Communication Theory my junior year (sorry, Professor Bruni). McLaren’s configurator has always been one of my favorites, and after seeing the Artura in person at Lightning Lap this year, I had to create one for myself.Paint was a tough choice between Belize Blue and Lantana Purple. Both go well with the Azores calipers I chose, but I picked the latter because I love how menacing Artura Spider’s rear end looks with a darker color. It gives me General Grievous vibes. To continue the theme, I went with the 10-spoke Star Forged Alloy wheels in gloss black, which really helps those orange calipers pop. I left the wheels wrapped in the normal Pirelli P Zeros, though, as opposed to the P Zero Corsas because I’d like to survive getting caught in the rain. I had to option the titanium locking wheel bolts too because they reduce unsprung mass by a whopping 400 grams—serious race-car stuff. Finishing off the exterior, I checked the boxes for the sport exhaust with the stealth finish and a satin titanium engine cover. I also opted for body-colored everything. Say what you want, but I’m just not a carbon-fiber guy.For my Vision-spec interior, I continued with the orange accents instead of Flux Green (why only those two options?), which pairs nicely with the McLaren Orange seatbelt. I selected the simpler Clubsport seats, but because my back already feels like I’m 60, I opted for the lumbar support. Another checked box was the Thermal Insulated Windscreen, as it can get pretty toasty on those nine sunny days we get in every year in Michigan. Speaking of the Wolverine state, the final must-have for my ideal Artura is the front-axle-lift system. How much does it all cost? No idea. McLaren doesn’t list prices on its configurator, but the car we lapped at VIR had an as-tested sticker of $388,793. –Mason CordellRead About the Artura Spider’s LapMore Lightning LapEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si. More

Steve Fecht for Chevrolet

Chevy has shown an engineering prototype for the upcoming Silverado EV.The new EV pickup is shown testing at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan. Deliveries of the new truck are set to begin in the fall of 2023. While Chevy’s initial photos of the 2024 Silverado EV showed the truck its top-trim form in an eye-catching, shiny shade of blue, we’re now getting a more rough-and-tumble look at the upcoming electric pickup. GM released photos of an engineering prototype of the new EV testing at the company’s Milford Proving Grounds. CEO Mary Barra said that prototypes will begin testing on public roads around Michigan within the next month.
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The Silverado EV seen here has a black, unpainted body, smaller wheels and tires, and all sorts of unfinished pieces such as the headlights, taillights, and fender surrounds signifying it as a test mule.The new truck is set to arrive for the 2024 model year, with the first deliveries said to begin in fall 2023. The Silverado EV uses GM’s Ultium battery platform and claims an estimated range of up to 400 miles. DC fast-charging capability will also be standard. The Silverado’s most direct competitor, the Ford F-150 Lighting, currently offers a maximum EPA-rated range of 320 miles.

Steve Fecht for Chevrolet

Chevy also said the full-size pickup will offer a towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds of towing. The electric Silverado is expected to start around $42,000 for the base WT trim, and around $107,000 for the line topping RST trim. For comparison, the Lightning starts at $41,769 at its base and $92,669 for its highest trim.

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST
Chevrolet

While the name may be familiar, the electric pickup offers different styling to set it apart from the current gas-powered truck. The front end features narrower headlights and a new front grille.Look for more information to come on the 2024 Silverado EV as Chevrolet readies this new truck for production and prepares to hand it over to the first buyers.

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Mazda is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, as the company was founded in 1920. The first Mazda passenger car was the R360, which arrived in 1960. The R360 is pictured above with Mazda’s current lineup, all of which will receive 100th anniversary editions with special trim. Anniversary editions are a dime a dozen in […] More

French automaker Citroën has revealed this beach-buggy version of its electric Ami city car.The Ami is not just for Europe, though, despite its diminutive size. It will be coming to the U.S. in the car-sharing fleet of startup Free2Move, which is part of Citroën parent company PSA.Citroën said its My Ami Buggy concept is “one of the many faces that could be developed for Ami,” meaning it may not be ruled out for production someday.Citroën answers a question we never knew to ask with its recently revealed My Ami Buggy concept. As its name implies, the My Ami Buggy is, well, a theoretical beach-buggy variant of the brand’s Ami electric city car, a model that’s due to arrive in the United States as part of the fleet of vehicles used by the car-sharing service Free2Move.

Although Citroën is mum on the My Ami Buggy’s powertrain details, the French brand likely carries over the run-of-the-mill Ami’s lone 8-hp electric motor and 5.5-kWh battery pack to this tough but tiny safari-style Ami. Given its knobby tires and additional kit, such as its roof-mounted light bar and spare tire, we wager the My Ami Buggy is even slower than its stock sibling, which leisurely accelerates to a top speed of 28 mph. Same goes for the My Ami Buggy’s driving range, which we imagine falls a bit short of the Ami’s estimated 43-mile figure.Even so, the My Ami Buggy concept makes up for its likely acceleration- and range-related shortcomings by looking so damn cool. Credit the car’s safari-style treatment that makes this little electric vehicle look ready to take on the world’s toughest terrain (whether it’s capable of successfully doing so is a different story).
It also helps that the My Ami Buggy ditches the Ami’s doors to make way for chic tubular decor along the sills. Don’t worry, Citroën fits the My Ami Buggy with a set of deployable transparent canvas covers to keep occupants dry in the event of a rainstorm. Both driver and passenger, meanwhile, ought to find the My Ami Buggy a more comfortable place to while away miles relative to the standard Ami. Credit its seats’ 2.8-inch-thick seat padding, which is nearly 1.4 inches thicker than those of the Ami. Other noteworthy features of the My Ami Buggy concept include its removable exterior mirrors and various integrated clamps for a variety of personal devices, such as cellphones and speakers. Unfortunately, Citroën makes no mention of plans to offer a production variant of the My Ami Buggy concept other than to state that it “illustrates one of the many faces that could be developed for Ami, the atypical vehicle developed by Citroën, ready to explore new horizons.”Well, we think it ought to. After all, just imagine picking up a My Ami Buggy through Free2Move to stylishly cruise the streets of Miami (or is that My Ami?) Beach with neither a pair of doors nor a worry to ruin the vibe.
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This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io More