Aurelia Butler

Toyota is recalling nearly 1.9 million RAV4 models over an increased fire risk. The affected RAV4s span from the 2013 through the 2018 model years. The increased fire risk stems from replacement 12-volt batteries, and the company is currently preparing a solution. Toyota will recall 1,854,000 RAV4 models from the 2013–2018 model years due to a potential fire risk. Owners of affected models should visit the NHTSA recall website and enter their VIN or license plate information to see if their vehicle is involved in the voluntary recall, which Toyota announced yesterday, November 1. The recall stems from an increased fire risk from the 12-volt battery. According to the automaker, the dimensions of the top of some replacement 12-volt batteries are too small. If a replacement battery is too small and the hold-down clamp is not tightened correctly, the driver is at increased risk of the battery moving during aggressive cornering. The movement can then cause the positive battery terminal to contact the hold-down clamp and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.Michael Simari|Car and DriverAs things stand now, Toyota is not issuing a stop-drive warning, nor is it asking owners to park their vehicles away from structures and other vehicles. The company is currently working on a solution. Once the fix is available, Toyota dealers will replace the battery hold-down clamp, battery tray, and positive terminal cover with improved versions for free. Toyota will notify customers with affected vehicles by late December 2023.Recent RecallsAssociate 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

The 2024 Acura TLX gets a simplified model lineup, meaning more features on models from the entry-level TLX Technology to the hi-po Type S.The redesigned front fascia is the biggest news for this model year.There’s also a quieter cabin and larger dash and infotainment displays.The second-generation TLX compact luxury sedan gets a mild redesign for its halfway point, with a focus on what Acura says its customers like most: the sedan’s big, elegant exterior design and well-stocked larder of interior features. While the overall profile of the TLX remains unchanged—why fix what was gorgeously unbroken?—the 2024 models get new, even more sparkling frameless grilles, additional color options, and, in a case of less is more, a streamlined model lineup. A Simpler TLX LineupIn 2023, there were nearly two hands’ worth of available trims, from the rather paltry entry-level base model to the limited Type S PMC Edition. Then there were choices about front- or all-wheel drive, and performance packages, and it’s no wonder customers asked Acura to simplify. For 2024, the Technology package is now standard, available only with front-wheel drive. A-Spec and Type S models round out the offerings, both with all-wheel drive. The new grille for the base and A-Spec TLX (above) features a glittering wider diamond mesh pattern, a sort of spiderweb covered in dew, while the Type S (top) gets a tighter pattern. Both grilles are done in gloss black. Unseen, but sure to be useful, is a new radar behind the Acura logo. Type S also has a full surround camera. The TLX and A-Spec get a 19-inch split five-spoke wheel in dark gray, while the Type S gets 20-inch wheels in shiny black. Both cars were shown on all-season rubber, but the TLX Type S is available with high-performance summer tires, on copper 20-inch wheels. Around the back, the A-Spec gets a new diffuser and round exhaust tips. The Type S, already with a more aggressive diffuser and quad tips, remains unchanged, although a carbon-fiber option is available for the spoiler. Two fresh paint colors make their way to the TLX: a new shade, Urban Gray Pearl (for A-Spec and Type S only), and the darker Liquid Carbon Metallic, which we first saw on the MDX (for TLX with Technology package only).Nothin’ New Under the Hood Don’t expect any major performance changes from any of the TLX models. The Technology and A-Spec use the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque as in 2023, although you’ll find it quieter in the A-Spec, which now has thicker carpets, more noise-cushioning padding, and acoustic glass in the front doors. Over at the Type S, it keeps its turbo 3.0-liter V-6, making 355 horses and 354 pound-feet of torque, but with the modes tweaked for quicker throttle response in the sporty settings. Both engine options are backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission. Step into the cabin, after you choose either a red or black leather interior—the Type S additionally offers Pearly Orchid—and you’ll find a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a matching 12.3-inch center screen—that’s 20 percent more screen than the 2023 models; more important, it’s faster to respond to inputs. Phone connectivity is standard, and TLX now offers Amazon Alexa Built-In. Rear-seat passengers now get charging ports, and a wireless charging pad is standard on all models.Shoppers looking for a glamorous alternative to the usual German sporty sedans can look for the TLX at an Acura dealer in late November.More Acuras for 2024Senior Editor, FeaturesLike a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver’s license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews.     More

Ringbrothers, a Wisconsin-based custom car builder, revealed this beautiful 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, which has a 640-hp General Motors LT4 supercharged V-8 under the hood.The company’s second show car is a stunning burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang convertible, complete with a Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 crate engine producing 460 hp.The most powerful creation was the 1969 Dodge Charger, which was fitted with the 1000-hp Hellephant crate engine built in limited quantities by Mopar.Each year, Wisconsin-based hot-rodders Ringbrothers brings a slew of modified American metal to the SEMA show, but for 2023 they cooked up something different. The custom car builder pulled the covers off “Paramount” yesterday, a gleaming 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II with an American heart.RingbrothersUnlike some of the company’s other creations, with this one Paramount keeps a traditional look. While the original bodywork was stripped to the bare metal to remove any imperfections before being repainted a pristine shade of white, the design was left mostly untouched. “They’re iconic and you don’t have to change things just to change it,” co-founder Mike Ring told Car and Driver. Plus, Ring said, the buyer who commissioned Paramount was already in love with the swooping, elegant styling.RingbrothersThings are different, however, under the skin. While the V-8 engine is still a 6.2-liter unit—like the original Rolls-Royce powertrain—it is now a General Motors–sourced supercharged LT4 pumping out 640 horsepower and 635 pound-feet of torque. This beefy motor is hooked up to a Bowler Tru-Street 10-speed automatic gearbox and a carbon-fiber driveshaft. The decision to stick an American motor into this British behemoth was easy. “We know people in GM,” Mike Ring said. If any issues arise, help is just a phone call away.Jim Ring, Mike’s brother and co-founder of the company, attested to Paramount’s performance credentials. “When you see this car go down the road, you think to yourself, this thing shouldn’t be doing what it’s doing,” he said. They drag raced it against the customer’s new Phantom, and it wasn’t even close. “It just squats and launches.” The Rolls-Royce weighs about 4800 pounds and the body rests on a custom chassis with Fox RS SV coilovers at all four corners. The 18-inch EVOD Industries wheels are shod in Falken Azenis tires and, like on modern Rolls-Royces, the gyro wheel center caps keep the logo facing right side up as the car moves.RingbrothersInside, the wooden dashboard keeps the original layout but gains modern looking gauges and machined billet switch gear. Ringbrothers also fitted a “starlight” headliner, a popular option seen on modern Rolls-Royces. Ringbrothers’ aftermarket version sees over 1000 LED lights hand-sewn into the ceiling. Ringbrothers also freed up more space inside. The original Silver Cloud featured a glass divider at the B-pillar, separating the chauffeur from the passengers.”There was no room,” Mike Ring explained. “You had to be a jockey to drive it.” To give the owner more space Ringbrothers ditched the divider, allowing the front bench seat—which came out of a 1957 Chevrolet—to be shifted rearwards. But the modifiers didn’t forget about the rear passengers, refitting the fold-down tables onto the Chevy-sourced seat’s back.RingbrothersIf you bleed red, white, and blue, don’t worry, because Ringbrothers still brought two American builds to this year’s show. This resplendent burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang convertible is nicknamed “Uncaged,” a follow up to the “Caged” Mustang that Ringbrothers created last year. Unlike the Rolls, which retained the original body, the only original part on Uncaged are the wheel center caps. RingbrothersThe changes to the body aren’t obvious, but this ‘Stang is an inch wider on each side and has redesigned fenders, a custom front bumper, and sleeker side scoops. Modern LEDs have found their way into the classic three-stripe taillights, and even the Mustang logos are restyled with a chiseled, 3D look. The front grille sits two inches deeper, allowing air to reach a Ford Performance 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 crate engine generating 460 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque, linked to Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. “It’s so smooth, it feels like a brand new car,” Mike Ring said.RingbrothersThe Mustang rolls on 18-inch wheels from EVOD Industries, wearing Continental tires and hooked up an independent rear suspension and coilovers from Penske Racing Shocks. The cabin is upholstered in lush leather with brushed metal accents and is full of intricate touches like the bespoke steering wheel and latticework window cranks. RingbrothersThe second American creation is dubbed “Tusk,” a 1969 Dodge Charger that has been completely reengineered with the 1000-hp Hellephant crate engine from Mopar. Just 100 units of that 7.0-liter supercharged V-8 were built, and the motor sends 950 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a Tremec six-speed manual and carbon-fiber driveshaft. More carbon appears on the two-piece hood, and the motor is shifted 2.5 inches rearwards versus the original’s placement to improve the weight distribution. RingbrothersThe Tusk is heavily restyled, with custom front and rear bumpers, a unique chin spoiler, lower rocker panels, and a carbon-fiber grille surround, giving it a low, sleek, and mean look. Gold accents pop against the black paint, particularly the HRE wheels that wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and are attached to Fox RS SV coilovers. The front wheels have actually been shifted forward by two inches, with the extended wheelbase said to improve handling, and the Charger rides on a custom chassis. The cabin is decked out in carbon fiber and features a custom “pistol grip” shifter, a new steering wheel, and modern dials. RingbrothersAll of Ringbrothers’ vehicles are commissioned by the owners, although the hot-rodders are pretty much given free rein over how they approach the build. While Mike and Jim Ring told Car and Driver that they tend to stick with what they know—classic American muscle—the Rolls-Royce process certainly expanded their horizons. “We’re working on a 1971 Aston Martin DBS next,” Mike said, and revealed that there was lots of interest in doing more Rolls-Royces. We can’t wait to see what Ringbrothers cooks up for next year’s SEMA show.More Beastly SEMA CarsAssociate 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

The Zeekr CM1e, a minivan-like EV, could be Waymo’s next autonomous taxi.The prototype has no B-pillar and dual sliding doors that open from the middle.Along with an 87-mph top speed, Zeeker claims the CM1e’s single rear motor will propel it from zero to 62 mph in 8 seconds.Zeekr is a yet another EV brand under China’s Geely, whose portfolio also includes Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and Lynk & Co. Although Zeekr has recently expanded to Europe with its 001 mid-size hatchback, 009 minivan, and X entry-level EV, Americans are most likely to encounter a Zeekr by hailing a ride in this, the CM1e. Prototypes of this concept proposal are being submitted to Waymo as its next autonomous taxi. See the CM1eDesigned in Sweden, the CM1e is expressly intended for this purpose. It features center-opening dual sliding doors on both sides, and there’s no B-pillar. The step-in height is low despite the 92-kW battery pack housed underneath, and the floor is covered with a rubberized material. The two front seats feature fold-down armrests, behind them is a three-passenger rear seat. The seats and dash are upholstered in a wool-like recycled material, Econyl, which is made from ocean waste (chiefly fishing nets). Two pods on the dash each house an airbag, and between them sits a Waymo-supplied display screen. Joe Lorio|Car and DriverA rear liftgate provides access to the luggage compartment, below which a single rear motor is located.Joe Lorio|Car and DriverJoe Lorio|Car and Driver Zeekr claiming a 0-to-62-mph time of approximately 8 seconds and a top speed of 87 mph. The CM1e concept does not have a steering wheel, but until that setup is permitted by local regulations, a production version would be equipped with one; steering and braking are by-wire. All the self-driving hardware is by Waymo. Joe Lorio|Car and DriverJoe Lorio|Car and DriverShould Waymo accept this proposal, it would own and operate the vehicles, and Zeekr would build them. Zeekr says it plans to submit its CM1e prototypes to Waymo by the end of the year, but there’s no stated timeframe for when we might see them in service. Related 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.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

Three unusual rides were brought to the 2023 SEMA show by Japanese oil company Eneos, including a 1969 Jaguar E-type powered by the Toyota Supra’s famous 2JZ-GTE engine.The 2003 Nissan 350Z also has an odd engine swap, packing two Honda K24 engines and two Honda five-speed manual gearboxes.Lastly, Eneos showed off a Toyota Land Cruiser truck, built off a 1997 model but using a 2009 pickup body imported from the Middle East.Japanese oil company Eneos brought a trio of unusual builds to this year’s SEMA show. Along with a sleek blue 1969 Jaguar XK-E 2+2 that has a 2JZ-GTE inline-six heart transplant from a Toyota Supra, the company also presented a barely recognizable 2003 Nissan 350Z powered by a pair of Honda K24 engines and a towering Toyota Land Cruiser pickup. ENEOSThe unorthodox Jaguar was built by drifter Faruk Kugay. The 2JZ inline-six has been highly modified with a new head casting, fuel system, fuel injectors, pistons and rods, and a Borg Warner turbocharger with a performance intercooler. Add in an ECU tune, and Eneos says the 3.0-liter motor should churn out around 750 horsepower. To make things even stranger, the E-type is fitted with the rear subframe, suspension, and differential from an E60 BMW 5-series. All of that power is routed through a ZF five-speed manual transmission out of an E36 BMW M3. To make the most of that power, the 17.0-inch Rotiform STL wheels wear Bridgestone Potenza RE-71 RS tires. To fit those rollers, the XK-E wears wider 3-D-printed carbon-fiber-reinforced fenders that give the Jag an assertive stance, apparently inspired by the factory Jaguar Lightweight E-type. Caleb Miller|Car and DriverEven wilder than the Jaguar is this 2003 Nissan 350Z, built by Ashley Robinson from MLZ Garage. Not much remains of the original car that Robinson bought for $800, with the rear end—damaged when he purchased it—completely removed in favor of a roll cage. Nestled among the metal bars is a turbocharged Honda K24 four-cylinder hooked up to a Honda EP3 five-speed manual. At the front of the Nissan is the exact same setup—yes, not only are there two engines, but also two manual gearboxes. Somehow, Robinson managed to sync the two powertrains.Caleb Miller|Car and DriverThe Nissan’s looks are nearly as crazy as its mechanicals, with ultrawide fender flares, the exposed roll cage at the rear, and 19.0-inch Weds LXZ wheels. The Kumho tires measure 305/30 at the front and 355/30 around back, with stopping power provided by Brembo front calipers off of a Hyundai Genesis and dual 350Z rear calipers. Robinson’s build sits on air suspension, and the doors and hood (removed for the show) are fashioned from carbon fiber.ENEOSLast but not least is the beastly 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser pickup. California-based RPM Off-Road Garage cobbled this truck together from a damaged ’97 Land Cruiser FZJ80 and a 2009 HZJ79 pickup body, which came from Utah’s Land Cruiser Heritage Museum and had been imported from the Middle East, where these old-school trucks are still offered new. The original ’97 frame was extended by 18 inches before the truck body was mounted. Under the hood is a 4.5-liter Toyota 1FZ-FE inline-six. Colossal 37-inch Toyo Open Country M/T tires sit on 17.0-inch beadlock wheels, with new springs providing an imposing 6.0-inch lift. The Land Cruiser build may not be as absurd as the other two vehicles Eneos presented, but it’s still one eye-catching rig.More Cool SEMA CreationsThis 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