Aurelia Butler

The International Scout was introduced in 1961 as the first competitor to the Willy Jeep.Like the Jeep, the Scout had a removable roof, a fold-down windshield, and four-wheel drive.This first-generation Scout, which is both impressively restored and unmodified, provides a rare look at one of the earliest SUVs.Car and DriverVolkswagen is planning to resurrect the Scout nameplate for a lineup of battery-powered SUVs and pickups, and while we have yet to see what they’ll look like, VW would be hard-pressed to capture the purity and charm of the first-generation International Harvester Scout. Unfortunately, the harsh duty cycle of most off-roaders, combined with the original Scout’s extreme propensity to rust, means that an OG Scout is a rare sight today. That’s what makes this 1964 example all the more striking. Up for auction on Bring a Trailer, which like Car and Driver is part of Hearst Autos, it has been restored to a stock appearance—rather than a modern, bro-dozer reinterpretation—and serves as a reminder of how basic 4x4s were at the dawn of the SUV age.Bring a TrailerCheck out the interior: vinyl bench seat, metal dash, metal door panels, fabric check-straps for the doors, and manual everything, although there is glovebox—plus a heater and a defroster. Bring a TrailerThis Scout is powered by a 152-cubic-inch inline-four (actually half of the I-H 304-cubic-inch V-8) fed by a single-barrel carb and paired with a three-speed manual gearbox. The part-time four-wheel-drive system has manual locking front hubs, and this Scout rolls on 15-inch black steelies.Bring a TrailerLater Scouts would grow larger, (somewhat) more mechanically sophisticated, and (a bit) more comfortable. The second-gen Scout 800 arrived in 1965 and the Scout II in 1971. With vintage SUVs of all stripes seeing keen collector interest, Scouts are being restored and typically upfitted mechanically for greater capability or just a more extroverted look. It’s interesting, though, to see the one in its original form, the result of a design brief “to replace the horse.”Related StoriesThe auction ends September 7.Deputy Editor, Reviews and FeaturesJoe Lorio has been obsessed with cars since his Matchbox days, and he got his first subscription to Car and Driver at age 11. Joe started his career at Automobile Magazine under David E. Davis Jr., and his work has also appeared on websites including Amazon Autos, Autoblog, AutoTrader, Hagerty, Hemmings, KBB, and TrueCar. More

The Nissan Altima and Nissan Versa could be discontinued after the 2025 model year, per a report by Automotive News.A Nissan spokesperson told Car and Driver the company will continue to “invest in the sedan segment” but wouldn’t confirm plans to stop producing either model. AN’s report also suggested Nissan has plans for a new electric sedan that’ll debut in 2026; the company’s spokesperson declined to comment on future products.The Nissan Altima, which was first introduced for the 1992 model year, is likely heading for the junkyard in the sky. The same fate could await the Nissan Versa, which first went on sale in the summer of 2006. The affordable compact car and familiar family sedan will be discontinued following the 2025 model year, according to Automotive News, which recently published a report about every automaker’s future product plans.Andi Hedrick|Car and DriverCar and Driver reached out to Nissan to confirm the Automotive News report, and a spokesperson responded with this statement: “We are continuing to invest in the sedan segment to offer our customers great-looking cars equipped with convenient, entertaining and safety-enhancing technologies. As we accelerate towards realizing Nissan’s Ambition 2030 vision we have many exciting plans in development, but we don’t have anything to share at this time.”Read the StoryILLUSTRATION BY BEN SUMMERELL-YOUDE/FOX SYNDICATION|Car and DriverWhile the spokesperson also wouldn’t comment on future products, the company’s own statements have fueled speculation that appears to be corroborated by the AN story, which suggested that Nissan has plans to introduce a new electric sedan in 2026. For example, last year, when the automaker confirmed that the Maxima would end production after the 2023 model year, in an official statement to Car and Driver said it’s “prioritizing electric vehicles” and advised us to “stay tuned for future Nissan Maxima news.” Could the EV sedan that’s rumored in the AN report be the next Maxima? It looks like we’ll have to wait and see.Recently Axed NissansThis 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

For Howdy Doody, a nine-year-old Watusi bull, going for a ride with his owner in their 1996 Ford Crown Victoria isn’t a big deal. He just calls shotgun, climbs in, and assumes his position across from Lee Meyer, owner of both car and cattle. They were cruising through the town of Norfolk, Nebraska, on Wednesday when some busybody took issue with a giant bull sticking out the front of a car and called the cops. The police dispatch reads, “Vehicle with a cow inside.” Since that probably doesn’t much narrow it down in Nebraska, the following line clarifies, “Vehicle is a white car appears to have been modified.” Yes, it certainly has.Norfolk Police DepartmentHow does one transport a one-ton bovine in an automobile, you ask? Well, lending new meaning to “bull riding” and really shutting up everyone who told him he should buy a truck, Meyer reinforced the frame and suspension on his 1996 Ford Crown Victoria to support its beefy passenger. He also removed the passenger-side windshield and roof—Watusi bull horns grow laterally and can be eight feet across, which poses a problem given that the 1996 Crown Victoria only offers 60.8 inches of front shoulder room. But with the Crown Vic rendered semi–al fresco in a job so clean it looks like it came that way from the factory, Howdy Doody fit just fine. 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.The Norfolk police didn’t entirely disagree, declining to ticket Meyer—this was, legally speaking, his first rodeo—but telling him to steer clear of town unless he wanted to start some serious beef. The pair were told to giddyup on back to Neligh, where they live, a not inconsiderable 35 miles further down Highway 275. Meyer told the New York Times that he uses a trailer for trips longer than 40 miles, and that Howdy Doody has been riding in the car for seven years and never has any problem with it. Often, Meyer stops to buy Howdy Doody ice cream, a prompting his wife, Rhonda, to say, “He’s the most spoiled steer in northeast Nebraska.” We applaud her for not making assumptions about the other quadrants of Nebraska, where maybe there’s a Belted Galloway just sitting on the couch drinking beer and not lifting a hoof to help out. Meyer and his bovine buddy made it home fine, although, as a video from News Channel Nebraska Northeast shows, not completely without incident. Eschewing Nebraska’s fine highway rest stops, Howdy Doody lived up to his name and rendered the Crown Vic’s rear quarter-panel ready for a serious detailing. But when you drive around with a bull in your car, you’ve gotta be prepared to deal with a little BS.More from EzraSenior EditorEzra Dyer is a Car and Driver senior editor and columnist. He’s now based in North Carolina but still remembers how to turn right. He owns a 2009 GEM e4 and once drove 206 mph. Those facts are mutually exclusive. More

Mini has unveiled the revamped Cooper Electric at the 2023 IAA auto show in Munich, Germany. The two-door hatchback is new for the 2025 model year and features updated styling, a more premium interior, and a larger battery pack than the previous-generation model.A gasoline-powered variant is expected to debut later wearing the same look but with a turbocharged engine under the hood.Fresh-faced and with improved eco-friendly street cred, the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric hatchback has debuted with more power, more range, and more dazzle. Unveiled alongside the Mini Countryman Electric, the two new models mark the start of a new generation for the brand. The hatchback’s styling is distinctively Mini, but with clean lines and neater proportions. The real improvements are just beneath the surface. Its interior is layered with upgrades too, and the mechanicals underneath promise to make it more competitive in the EV marketplace.Cheerful CabinWhile we don’t expect to see much more passenger space than the current-generation Cooper, the new car features a more premium interior. A simplified design removes clutter from the center console and dashboard, while richer materials are used throughout for a more upscale ambiance. Mega Details on the New Mini CooperThe centerpiece of the Cooper Electric’s cabin is a large, circular display screen, which runs Mini’s next-generation infotainment interface. This OLED panel provides crisp graphics and a customizable appearance. For example, users can upload their own photos to the system to create unique backgrounds.A fabric-lined dashboard hides LEDs that provide ambient lighting that change based on which drive mode the car is in. Of course, Mini’s signature toggle switches remain on the dashboard, but these too have been pared down with simplicity in mind. Overall, the interior is a nicer place to spend time, a good thing considering drivers will likely need to utilize public charging infrastructure. And if you’re sitting inside waiting for the car to charge, the Cooper Electric can entertain you with downloadable video games to play using that center-mounted display.Mended Mechanicals The Cooper Electric will be offered in two strengths: E and SE, with the entry-level version getting a 181-hp electric motor and the upgraded model getting juiced to 215 horsepower. Both are front-wheel drive and it’s not clear yet whether the U.S. market will get both, or just the more powerful SE. We’ve had a chance to drive a prototype, and the Cooper’s playful handling is retained in the new model. Mini says the E is capable of hitting 62 mph in 7.3 seconds and the SE will complete the same task in 6.7, but we managed a 6.1-second run to 60 mph in the current model—which makes 181 horsepower—so we think both of those estimates are conservative.Our biggest gripe about the current Cooper Electric is its disappointing driving range, which comes in at an EPA-rated 114 miles per charge. This new version benefits from far larger battery packs. The current Cooper SE that’s sold in the U.S. has a 28.9-kWh battery pack, but the new version gets a 58.4-kWh unit. That should boost the driving range to about 200 miles per charge, which is still less than other EVs such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the Tesla Model 3, but brings the Mini closer to contention.While Mini is focusing first on launching the EV variant of its new Cooper hatchback, the company told Car and Driver that gasoline-powered models will continue to be part of the portfolio. Mini has even confirmed plans for a revived John Cooper Works performance edition. We expect the turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines used in the current generation car to carry over to the redesigned 2025 models, but we’ll find out more closer to the car’s launch in North America. That timing, we suspect, could be as early as next spring.Managing Editor, Buyer’s GuideDrew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.       More

Mini’s next-generation Countryman SUV debuts as an electric crossover with a range of up to 240 miles per charge. The new Countryman Electric wears a sharper exterior design, more minimalistic interior styling, and drops “Cooper” from its name. While a gasoline-powered version is said to be on the way. Mini is focusing first on the launch of the electrified model.Debuting alongside a redesigned Cooper hatchback, the 2025 Countryman SUV marks a turning point for the Mini brand. Not only is it the first time that the company has released EV models ahead of their gasoline-powered counterparts, but it’s also the start of a model year where every Mini model is essentially all new. Not to mention it’s the first time the model will not wear the Cooper name, with the company opting this time around to simply call it the Mini Countryman. That simplification is part of a larger minimalist strategy with the revitalized Mini lineup, as both the Countryman and Cooper—the brand’s two core models—have received design makeovers that are less visually cluttered than before.Mechanical Minutiae A longer wheelbase and larger exterior dimensions stretch the definition of what we’d consider Mini, but the Countryman isn’t jumping up into the mid-size-SUV class. Two models will be offered—although we aren’t sure if both will make the trip across the Atlantic to our shores—with the front-wheel-drive E model coming with a 201-hp electric motor and the all-wheel-drive SE All4 version coming with two motors that combine for 308 horsepower. As before, the Countryman remains primarily an on-road vehicle, although, with more ground clearance than its Cooper sibling, it’s the one to choose if you do need to traverse anything more than a dirt road. With the more potent powertrain, Mini says the Countryman SE will hit 62 mph in 5.6 seconds but its range estimate is an estimated 225 miles per charge. The E is pokier, with a 62-mph time of 8.6 seconds, but its range is slightly higher at an estimated 240 miles. More on Mini’s Fresh New LineupRange Is Just OkayIf those range times don’t seem particularly impressive, it’s because they aren’t. Rivals that are already on the market can offer even more driving per charge. The Kia Niro EV, another high-style small SUV, offers an estimated range of 253 miles per charge, and the Tesla Model Y offers up to 330 miles of range.At a preview event in Germany, Mini told Car and Driver that the SE All4 model will come with a 64.7-kWh battery pack that will be able to accept DC fast-charging at up to 130 KW. The Countryman Electric will also be able to charge on a home AC connection too, at speeds up to 22 KW.Details on the gasoline-powered Countryman haven’t been announced yet, but we suspect it’ll receive the same powertrain options as the previous-generation Countryman. That would mean a 134-hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine or an 189-hp turbo four on the S trim. The plug-in-hybrid variant isn’t likely to return given the availability of the Countryman Electric.Fashion Forward The Countryman’s revised styling is both fresh and instantly recognizable as a Mini, with a bold frame around the front grille, trapezoidal headlamps, and taillamps sporting the Union Jack flag. The S E trim shown in the photos here combines pale green paint with rose gold accents for a pleasing, upscale effect. A floating roof design mimics that of the Cooper hatchback, but a chunky-looking C-pillar dips down almost to the lower window line and sports a bold All4 logo on the show car. Body surfacing is more sharply creased than before, and there are more rugged design cues such as faux skid plates on the lower parts of the front and rear bumpers. Big chrome letters spell out Countryman across the rear liftgate, which is a holdover from the previous model, but the font size and spacing emphasize the new Countryman’s width. Big wheels with rose gold spokes complete the look, and overall, the new styling is more upscale than the previous generation model.The cabin design mimics that of the Cooper, with a minimalistic take on Mini’s traditional styling. The focal point of the interior design is sure to be the large, round display screen that serves as both infotainment and gauge display. Like the Cooper, the Countryman benefits from Mini’s new software interface and provides a ton of opportunity for personalization.A bank of toggle switches remain on the dashboard, but they’ve been simplified, and the dashboard itself is adorned with a fabric trim panel that is backlit at night by ambient lighting elements. Those elements, by the way, can change color and shape depending on which drive mode is selected.More fabric trim pieces can be found on the Countryman’s door panels, and in the show car the doors feature a pattern of gold fabric that blends with teal in a sort of ombre pattern that looks quite nice, especially offset against rose gold metal accents. Mini says more sustainable materials have been utilized this time around, including recycled polyester for interior upholstery and carpets. Furthermore, the electric motors that power the Countryman use no rare-earth minerals.On-Sale Dates Still ApproximateMini hasn’t announced when the Countryman Electric will officially go on sale in the U.S. but we suspect it’ll launch here in 2024 as a 2025 model. The first models could reach Mini dealerships as early as next spring. The gasoline-powered Countryman, as well as the new Cooper hatchback, should go on sale around the same time. A third model, the upcoming Aceman electric crossover, will join the lineup as well. Mini says the Aceman will debut in April 2024, and we suspect it will get the same electric powertrains as the Countryman. 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.Managing Editor, Buyer’s GuideDrew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.       More