Aurelia Butler

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S580e has the longest electric range of any plug-in hybrid we’ve tested on our 75-mph real-world route.The $120,000-plus sedan went 58 miles in EV mode, exceeding its estimated EPA range by 12 miles and beating the next-closest PHEV by 14 miles.The plug-in S-class’s sizable 22.7-kWh battery is primarily responsible for its notable test result.Welcome to Car and Driver’s Testing Hub, where we zoom in on the test numbers. We’ve been pushing vehicles to their limits since 1956 to provide objective data to bolster our subjective impressions (you can see how we test here).Plug-in hybrids have an advantage over electric vehicles: When their batteries run dry, their internal-combustion engines can complete the rest of the journey. However, for folks who want a PHEV with more than 40 miles of electric-only range, there are just a handful to choose from, and the new-for-2023 Mercedes-Benz S580e is one of them. It also recorded the longest real-world electric range of any plug-in hybrid we’ve ever tested on our 75-mph highway route.Going the DistanceThe EPA estimates the plug-in S-class can go 46 miles on electricity alone. In our testing, the six-figure sedan beat that bogey by 12 miles, traveling 58 miles in EV mode. That’s 14 miles more than any other PHEV we’ve tested. Second place goes to the 2024 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered, which made it 44 miles (three more than advertised). The only other plug-in we’ve seen crack the 40-mile mark was a 2018 Honda Clarity that went 41 miles—and we’ve now evaluated over 45 PHEVs since this test first began back in 2016.Michael Simari|Car and DriverFor context about how we achieved these results, allow us to explain our procedure. All tests are run at a GPS-verified 75 mph on the same 200-mile out-and-back loop on our Ann Arbor, Michigan–area highways. We’re meticulous about this process, which includes using cruise control and setting the automatic climate control to 72 degrees. Plug-in hybrids require extra steps where we make sure the battery is fully charged before beginning the route and then recording the kilowatt-hours (kWh) needed to fill the battery after completing the loop. The PHEV’s highway EV range is recorded when the battery is depleted and the gas engine takes over.A Big Battery HelpsSo, what’s the magic behind the S580e’s record-setting real-world range? Sure, its long and low body has a slippery 0.22 drag coefficient according to Mercedes, but our test car’s Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 all-season tires are decently grippy (0.85 g on the skidpad), and we wonder if a set of low-rolling-resistance rubber might aid efficiency even further. The key enabler to the big sedan’s notable range is its big battery.Michael Simari|Car and DriverHolding 22.7 kWh of energy, the Mercedes’s battery is 52 percent larger than the Volvo V60’s 14.9-kWh pack. Obviously, the plug-in S-class didn’t travel 52 percent farther in our test; its efficiency was further compromised by its hefty 5606-pound curb weight (1112 pounds more than the V60). Still, the S580e is the first PHEV to surpass the 50-mile milestone—let alone almost reach 60—in our real-world electric-range test. And it didn’t do so bad after its battery was depleted, either, averaging 36 mpg when running primarily on its 362-hp turbocharged inline-six for the rest of the loop, again beating its EPA label value of 29-mpg highway by a sizable amount. That the plug-in S-class is still plenty posh and, with its 510 combined horsepower, keeps pace with the V-8-powered S580, leaping to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds, makes these efficiency results especially worthy of recognition.Latest Test-Hub StoriesThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorEric 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

Audi is upgrading its Q4 e-tron electric crossover with a new rear electric motor that delivers increased horsepower and better efficiency.The base Q4 40 e-tron model will now produce 282 horsepower, up by 81 horsepower, while the Q4 50 e-tron will have 335 ponies, up from 295 horsepower.Audi revealed these changes for the European market, but we expect the U.S.-spec Q4 e-tron to adopt the same updates for the 2025 model year.Audi is preparing a wave of new electric cars starting with the 2025 Q6 e-tron, but the German automaker is also ensuring that its existing EVs don’t stagnate, announcing a host of upgrades for the Q4 e-tron crossover that has been on sale in the U.S. since 2022. The revisions reach European customers this fall, but we expect the new Q4 e-tron to hit the U.S. market for the 2025 model year, with the changes affecting both the standard Q4 SUV and the sleek Sportback models.AudiWhile the Q4’s styling remains the same, under the skin the crossover is fitted with a new permanently excited synchronous motor on the rear axle, unlocking more power and range. The new motor takes the base Q4 40 e-tron from a meager 201 horsepower all the way up to 282 ponies. Audi estimates a 6.7-second sprint to 62 mph, a significant improvement over the current 7.9-second run to 60 mph, while the top speed increases from 99 mph to 112 mph to match the all-wheel-drive models. The 40 model is currently rated at 265 miles of range by the EPA, which should improve to close to 300 miles when EPA range figures are announced. The all-wheel-drive Q4 50 e-tron, meanwhile, now produces 335 horsepower, up from 295 horsepower. While Audi quotes a 5.4-second dash to 62 mph, we recorded a 5.6-second run in the outgoing model, suggesting the new motor will make the Q4 50 e-tron even quicker than Audi predicts. The 50 model is currently rated at 236 miles of range, or 242 miles for the Sportback, with noticeable range increases expected for 2025. AudiThe Q4’s motors continue to draw from a 77.0-kWh battery, but Audi says revised cell chemistry has shortened charging times, with the Q4 going from 10 to 80 percent charge in 28 minutes. Audi says all-wheel-drive Q4 e-trons will now max out at 175 kW when hooked up to a DC fast charger, versus 150 kW before. In Europe, rear-wheel-drive models are limited to 135 kW, but in the U.S. all models have been capable of 150 kW. Audi is also introducing a function that limits the charge level to 80 percent to extend the battery’s lifespan. The Q4 will now have a post-conditioning feature for the battery, cooling the battery if it exceeds a certain temperature after driving or charging. Audi also claims it retuned the Q4 e-tron’s suspension for a better balance between sporty handling and comfortable cruising, and the steering is said to be more responsive. After Audi added adaptive cruise control with lane-centering for 2024, the Q4 will now be capable of assisted lane changes when using the system at over 56 mph on highways. The system checks to ensure that it is safe to change lanes and when the driver activates the turn signal the vehicle helps the driver steer into the new lane. More New AudisThe Q4 also gains a new optional “character sound” that will be pumped out by two external speakers at the back of the car and two internal speakers in the rear doors. The sound changes based on speed and can be turned off at any time, although the legally required low-speed sound for pedestrian safety will always remain active.While European customers will be be able to purchase the upgraded Q4 e-tron within the next month, the new model will likely reach American buyers sometime next year as a 2025 model. Although it’s unclear just how many of these changes will be shared with the U.S.-spec Q4 e-tron, we expect the new motor to make an appearance, with Volkswagen applying the same upgrade to the related ID.4 crossover for 2024. Prices for the Q4 should increase slightly, and U.S.-specific information should arrive soon.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

Hyundai has filed a trademark for the “N74” nameplate within the European Union’s intellectual property office. The trademark is the best clue yet that Hyundai is serious about a production version of the N Vision 74 concept car from last year. While the automaker itself still hasn’t confirmed a production version, the prototype is a 670-hp rear-drive sports car powered by hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. Sometimes dreams do come true and automakers choose to green light the fancy concept cars they show off. Last year, Hyundai’s N Vision 74 made made quite the splash when the manufacturer debuted the car in South Korea. It wasn’t long before many fans (Car and Driver staff included) were asking what it would take for Hyundai to produce it. While Hyundai still hasn’t confirmed a production version of the car, the online forum 7th Mustang spotted that the automaker did file a trademark application for “Hyundai N74” with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). HyundaiThe trademark request was filed on September 20, and the classification covers “automobiles, sports cars, vans, motor trucks, motor buses, and electric vehicles,” meaning the filing is for more than just naming rights. According to the EUIPO, the application is still under examination.We had the chance to drive the engineering prototype version last year, and it was enough of an experience to get us excited for a roadgoing version. That version was Hyundai’s “rolling lab” test bed to allow the manufacturers N performance division to experiment with future powertrain development. HyundaiWe spoke to Albert Biermann about it at the time, and the former Hyundai-Kia R&D boss turned executive technical advisor told Car and Driver, “It is hard for me to see us doing it; at this moment we don’t need such a car.” Fortunately Biermann isn’t calling all the shots over at Hyundai-Kia, and Till Wartenberg—Hyundai’s vice president of N brand management and motorsport has other ideas. In an interview earlier this year, Wartenberg told The Autopian that he wants to see the Vision 74 in production. “My personal wish is to produce this vehicle,” Wartenberg said. “It’s at first probably an investment, but if we could see this vehicle really out there and people buying it, I would be very happy.”More on the N Vision 74 PrototypeDoes Hyundai filing this trademark mean that some version of the N Vision 74 will enter production? Not necessarily, but between Wartenberg’s statements and the recent trademark application, things are looking up for fans who want to see some version of this car on the road. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. More

This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Some Chevy dealers apparently still struggle to understand that the weight distribution of the mid-engine C8 Corvette is different from the previous front-engine Corvettes. As a result, we see here another example of a new Corvette being lifted improperly and getting destroyed when it falls off the lift. A YouTube video posted on September 15 by Jason Grubb shows a Torch red Corvette Z06 convertible sitting majestically in the air on top of a dealer’s lift. However, it seems that the technician did not use the proper lift points. A few seconds after the video starts, we watch in horror as the flat-plane-crank LT6–powered Z06 comes crashing to the ground. The good news is that nobody appears to be injured in the mishap. The bad news is that the world might’ve just lost a Z06 convertible because of a stupid mistake. It’s unclear what dealer this incident occurred at.It is bad enough to see the Corvette crash to the ground. But to add even more insult to injury the video shows one of the lift arms ripping through the side of the car as it falls. Because of that, it seems safe to assume the car is a total loss. Writing off a Z06 while it is being pushed to the limit on a racetrack is one thing. But losing one while it is in the hands of the people in charge of keeping these on the road is enough to make any Corvette fan cry.The C8 Z06 was launched with much fanfare. It is a track weapon—becoming the fifth-fastest car around VIR in our Lightning Lap testing—that can best cars from more exotic brands. Some folks have been on a waitlist for years waiting for their car. Many have had to pay tens of thousands of dollars above MSRP in order to put it in their garage. We don’t know anything about the owner of this particular Z06. However, we can be sure they will not be happy when they get the call from the dealership about what happened. If you are the owner of a C8 Corvette, you might want to review page 230 of the owner’s manual with the shop where you get your car serviced. That is the page that illustrates the proper jack points. That conversation just might save your car. More on the Z06 More

Toyota is introducing a few updates to the 2024 RAV4, most notably a new color.Army Green is now available for the Woodland, Adventure, and TRD Off-Road trim levels.The 2024 RAV4 starts at $29,825 for the base LE, while the Woodland hybrid starts at $36,045.Army Green, a paint color already seen on several of Toyota’s bigger trucks and SUVs, is making its way onto the Toyota RAV4 compact crossover for 2024. The cool new hue will be offered on the RAV4’s more rugged-looking trim levels, including the Woodland Edition hybrid, the Adventure, and the TRD Off-Road.The color itself will be a no-cost option on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models, but on the Woodland Edition Army Green will require a $500 option for a two-tone setup with a black roof. The two-tone option is also offered on the Adventure and TRD Off-Road, and on those models you’ll be able to choose between either a white or a black roof. You can also now pair the Woodland’s Ice Cap exterior color with a black roof. We particularly like how the green looks in combination with the Woodland Edition’s bronze 18-inch wheels.The Woodland Edition also gets an activity mount as standard that Toyota says can accommodate a bike rack or cargo carrier, and it’s now available with a Weather package for $925 that adds heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.There aren’t any other notable changes for the 2024 RAV4 lineup—which also includes XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited trim levels—other than slight price hikes of a few hundred dollars depending on model. The base RAV4 LE now starts at $29,825, the Adventure starts at $36,020, the TRD Off-Road is $39,445, and the hybrid-only Woodland is $36,045. 2024 RAV4s will start arriving at dealerships late this year.More on the RAV4Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More